F.—6.

Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-6, presented on the 11th September, 1896.]

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

SAN FEANCISCO MAIL-SEEVICE. No. 1. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, Bth September, 1896. Referring to your letter of the 19th November last, I have the honour to remind you that your colony's contribution of £4,000 a year towards the San Francisco mail-service expires on the 31st October. I shall be glad to receive from you as early as possible the usual formal intimation that the Postmaster-General of New South Wales will continue the contribution for the twelve months from Ist November next. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 2. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir, — Sydney, oth November, 1896. In reply to your communication of the Bth September last, I am directed to inform you that the Postmaster-General has approved of this colony contributing at the rate of £4,000 a year towards the San Francisco mail-service for another year, from the Ist instant to the 31st October, 1897. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Deputy Postmaster-General.

No. 3. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 21st November, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, notifying that the Postmaster-General of New South Wales had approved of your colony contributing £4,000 towards the San Francisco mail-service for another year, commencing from the Ist instant. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 4. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir — 22nd April, 1897. Referring to your letter of the 16th February last [see No. 50], I beg to transmit copy of letter received from the General Post Office in reply to my letter (copy enclosed), asking for the Postmaster-General's consent to the continuance of the Imperial Government's contribution to the San Francisco service until the expiration of the contract for the conveyance of the mails between New Zealand and San Francisco. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Reeves. I—F. 6.