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No. 58. The Hon. Sir Heney Paekes to the Hon. the Colonial SeCEETAEY, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 30th April, 1888. This Government agrees, subject to the subsidy being voted by Parliament, to an extension for one year from twenty-first November next, on same terms as at present, of the contract with the Union Steam Company for conveyance of mails between Sydney, Auckland, and San Francisco. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Heney Paekes, Colonial Secretary.

No. 59. The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Geneeal, London. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 21st April, 1888. Eeferring to my letters of the Bth* and 20th ultimo, I regret I am unable by this mail to further instruct you, as I have not yet had any reply from the Government of New South Wales on the Pacific mail-service question, or whether Sir Daniel Cooper will be authorised to act with Sir Charles Tupper and yourself, as suggested by you. I both telegraphed and wrote Sir Henry Parkes, but pressure of important parliamentary business has probably prevented his giving my communications full consideration. I have, &c, Sir F. D. Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., 11. A. Atkinson, Postmaster-General. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 60. Mr. Geay to the Managing Dieectoe, Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd May, 1888. Subject to Parliament voting subsidy, New South Wales Government now agrees to the twelve months' extension Frisco service. * * * * * ' James Mills, Esq., Union Steam Company, Dunedin. W. Geay.

No. 61. The Hon Sir H. A. Atkinson to the Hon, the Colonial Seceetaey, Sydney. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 17th May, 1888. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 80th ultimo, addressed to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, notifying that, subject to the subsidy being voted by Parlialiament, your Government agrees to an extension, for one year from November next, of the contract with the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), for conveyance of the mails between Sydney, Auckland, and San Francisco. The contractors have been communicated with, and their reply will be telegraphed you immediately on receipt thereof. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Sydney. H. A. Atkinson. No. 62. The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson to the Agent-Genebal, London. Sin,— General Post Office, Wellington, 26th May, 1888. With reference to my letter of the 21st ultimo, I regret to inform you that I am still without a reply from the Premier of New South Wales as to the intentions of his Government with respect to the Canadian Pacific service; but I have received by cable an intimation that that Government has now decided to agree to a renewal of the contract for the San Francisco service for twelve months from November next. I enclose a copy of Sir Henry Parkes's message. I have, &c, H. A. Atkinson, Postmaster-General. Sir F. D. Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 63. Mr. James Mills to the Hon. the Postmastee-Gbkeeal, Wellington. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sib,— Wellington, 25th May, 1888. In reply to your telegram inquiring if we are prepared to renew our contract for the conveyance of the mails to and from San Francisco for a further period of twelve months, I have now to say that we are agreeable to carry it on as hitherto with the steamers " Alameda," " Mariposa," and " Zealandia ; " reserving the right, however, of replacing the latter vessel with the " Mararoa " should we find it necessary to do so. I have, &c, James Mills, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Managing Director.

* Vide No 33.

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