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No. 28. The Hon. the Premier and Colonial Treasurer, Sydney, to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 18th November, 1899. I informed you twentieth October would continue four thousand Frisco service for another year, subject to Parliament voting money. Regarding proposed improved service, in view large subsidies now paid to P. and 0., Orient, and Vancouver, am not disposed at present to commit colony to larger subsidy Frisco than now paid; but if it is a fact that a 16-knot steamer-service from here to England could be given at cost of thirty thousand a year to the two colonies, I think this colony would be prepared to consider matter favourably before termination Vancouver contract in May, nineteen hundred and three. Meanwhile, perhaps you will advise proportion of the subsidy you think we should pay. Presume you propose negotiations with Union Company as present contractors who have given greatest satisfaction and are largest employers manual labour afloat and ashore throughout Australasia, and therefore we consider should have paramount consideration, as Government anxious keep outlay and such arrangements within colony.
No. 29. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 28th November, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 26th October. . . . The resolutions passed by the New Zealand Parliament, authorising the renewal of the existent contract with the Union Steam Ship Company and its connections for one year from the Ist April, 1900, and also authorising arrangements to be entered into towards securing a more frequent and speedy service, have been duly received and noted. The stipulation for the employment of at least one British-owned steamer may possibly be considered too onerous by purely American owners in view of the pending congressional action in respect to ocean mailservices. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.
No. 29a. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 21st December, 1899. I have the honour to forward herewith for your acceptance copy of the approved timetable of the San Francisco mail-service for the year 1900. I have, &c, T. Thompson, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
No. 29b. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, and the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company (Limited), Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 21st December, 1899. I have the honour to forward herewith for your acceptance copy of the approved timetable of the San Francisco mail-service for the year 1900. I have, &c, [The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney.] W. Gray, Secretary. [The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.]
No. 30. Captain Russell, M.H.R., to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Sic, — Flaxmere, Hastings, 14th February, 1900. No doubt you are more fully acquainted with the inconveniences attending the arrival and departure of the San Francisco mail than I can make you. But I venture to suggest that, as we no longer materially benefit by the Vancouver service, some attempt be made to so regulate the arrival and departure of the San Francisco mail as to give time to reply to correspondence with America. The Suez mail affords opportunity, more or less good, for letters to England, but is useless for America. If the departure of the outward mail were postponed for one week or ten days longer than at present, no special inconvenience would be caused that I know of, and many would benefit immensely. I have been particularly anxious to reply promptly to letters from America, and on the three last occasions have been unable to. If such be the case here, how much worse' must it be further south. I trust the subject may be worth consideration when any fresh contract is being arranged. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. W. R. Russell.