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No. 64. Mr. Gray to the Managing Director, Union Steamship Company. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 4th June, 1888. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo, stating that your company is prepared to renew the contract for the conveyance of the mails to and from San Francisco for a further period of twelve months with the steamers "Alameda," "Mariposa," and " Zealandia," with a reservation of the right to substitute the " Mararoa " for the " Zealandia " should occasion require. I have forwarded a copy of your letter to the Postmaster-General, Sydney. I have, &c, W. Gray. The Managing Director, (For the Postmaster-General.) Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington.

No. 65. Mr. Gray to the Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Bie, — General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd June, 1888. I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of a letter from the Managing Director of the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), dated the 25th ultimo, expressing the willingness of his company, as contractors for the San Francisco mail service, to renew the contract for the carriage of the mails by the steamers " Alameda," " Mariposa," and " Zealandia" for twelve months, with a reservation of the right to substitute the "Mararoa" for the "Zealandia," if necessary. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney, W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 66. The Hon. Sir Harry A. Atkinson to the Agent-General, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th July, 1888. Pacific Services. Will Post Office renew for five years existing Frisco agreement ? What assistance Canadian line ? Parliament considers question immediately. Eeply urgent; definite. The Agent-General, London.

No. 67. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 24th July, 1888. Pacific Services. Seen Imperial Post Office, but, having regard to state business House Commons, I do not believe slightest chance Chancellor deciding anything permanent immediately. Nevertheless Imperial Post Office wishes help, and although, in consequence of the Imperial Government favouring Vancouver Imperial Treasury would not continue Frisco arrangement five years, I believe could get extended until eighteen hundred and ninety. The Premier, New Zealand. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,525 copies), £18 19s.]

Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBB.

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