F.—4

Sess. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.

OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO). [In continuation of papers presented on the 9th September, 1890.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL-SERVICE. No. 1. Mr. Gray to the Chairman of Dikectobs, Union Steamship Company (Limited), Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 4th September, 1890. The Postmaster-General will be obliged if you would inform him by Saturday the terms on which your company will renew for twelve months the four-weekly services maintained for collecting and distributing coastwise the San Francisco and Direct mails. The services expire in November and December next. I have, &c, The Chairman of Directors, W. Geay, Secretary. Union Steamship Company (Limited), Wellington. (A verbal reply received on the sth. Confirmed by letter of 18th October, No. 2.)

No. 2. Mr. Mills to the Hon. the Postmastek-Geneeal, Wellington. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 18th October, 1890. In reply to your letter of the 4th September, addressed by the Secretary of the General Post Office to our chairman of directors, I have the honour to inform you that we are agreeable to renew for a period of twelve months the present four-weekly services for collecting and distributing coastwise the San Francisco and Direct mails on payment of a subsidy of £3,000 for each service, or £6,000 per annum in all. I have, &c, D. Mills, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. For the Managing Director.

No. 3. Mr. Geay to the Managing Dibectoe, Union Steamship Company (Limited), Dunedin. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th October, 1890. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, intimating that your company agrees to renew for twelve months the present four-weekly services for collecting and distributing coastwise the San Francisco and Direct mails for a subsidy of £3,000 for each service. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W. Geay, Secretary. Union Steamship Company (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 4. The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson to the Hon. the Peemiee, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth September, 1890. If you will contribute £10,000 towards Frisco service and retain all Australian postages, we can arrange service for another year. I—F. 4.