35

F.—6

No. 125. The Hon. the Pbemieb to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th December, 1897. In reply'to your telegram [of 22nd December], request Imperial Post Office pay New Zealand same as Frisco, not Canada.

No. 126. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 10th January, 1898. Impebial Post Office payment New Zealand-Vancouver sea-rates depends upon consent Canada. I recommend New Zealand Government negotiate with Ottawa Government direct. If you do not succeed, suggest, as it is important, Government authorise Agent-General proceed Ottawa for purpose of settling matters. Could reach there in a week's time. Huddart will be at Ottawa about end of the week.

No. 127. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th January, 1898. Vancouvee service: Again press Imperial Post Office arrange contractors receive payment London mails for colony. Strongly objected to Canada being paid for New Zealand mails. Understood from telegram 10th December payment would be made colony for contractors, same as Frisco. Eesolutions House covered this. Grave injustice contractors if payment witheld.

No. 128. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 17th January, 1898. Vancouveb service: Have pressed Imperial Post Office, and shall continue to act as instructed. Nevertheless think it desirable New Zealand Government confer direct with Ottawa, or Government authorise Agent-General do so.

No. 129. The Hon. the Pbemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 18th January, 1898. I have the honour to confirm my telegram to you of the 17th instant. . . . The position has also been placed before the Postmaster-General of New South Wales, with a request that the Agent-General for that colony should assist you in obtaining recognition of the claims of the contractors to the payment. I have, &c, The Hon. W. P. Beeves, W. C. Walkee, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. For the Premier.

No. 130. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th January, 1898. In face present uncertainty and Australian-Canadian Company being in liquidation, am not pressing Imperial authorities to act for a space. Better hold in abeyance.

No. 131. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemieb. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— 19th January, 1898. Eeferring to my letter of the 31st ultimo [see No. 62], I beg to transmit copy of further correspondence which has taken place with the Imperial Post Office on the subject of the San Francisco and Vancouver mail-services. I have also had interviews with the Assistant Secretary of the General Post Office, who is dealing with the matter, and have strongly represented to him the views and wishes of the Government with regard to the various questions which have arisen in connection therewith. With regard to the request made by the Government that all mail-matter (except that specially superscribed for other routes) be forwarded by either the San Francisco or Vancouver route, the Imperial Post Office have not yet communicated to me their decision, nor, so far as could be gathered at an interview with the Assistant Secretary yesterday, can I expect to receive it before the leaving of this mail. I gather, however, from the conversations had with him, that the Imperial Post Office is disposed to act in accordance with the Government's wish, if such a course can be justified, if only on