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No. 31. Agbeement for Kenewal of Service for Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1901 (indorsed on Contract dated the 11th April, 1899). Memoeandum of Agreement, made this twenty-first day of "February, one thousand nine hundred, between the Honourable Joseph George Waed, as such Postmaster-General, and acting as within described, of the one part, and the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), also within described, of the other part: Witnesseth that, in order to give effect to certain resolutions passed by the House of Representatives on or about the twenty-fourth day of October last past, so far as the same relate to the San Francisco mail-service provided for in the within-writ ten contract, it is hereby mutually agreed between the parties hereto that the within-written contract, dated the eleventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine, which said contract was, on the twentieth day of July last, continued and extended for a period of twelve calendar months computed as on and after the first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine, shall, on the expiration of such extension, be and the same is hereby further extended for a further period of twelve calendar months, such last-mentioned extension to take effect as on and after the first day of April, one thousand nine hundred. And it is hereby also mutually declared and agreed that all the terms and provisions of the within-written contract shall be deemed to be operative in respect of these presents and the services hereby intended to be provided for, with such modifications as are necessary to render the same effective. In witness whereof the Postmaster-General hath hereunto set his hand and seal, and the Company has hereunto caused its common seal to be affixed, the day and year first above written. Signed, sealed, and delivered by the Honourable Joseph George\ Ward, as Postmaster-General of New Zealand, in the presence of— >• J. G. Ward. (1.5.) W. Gray, Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, j The common seal of the Union Steam Ship Company of New\ Zealand (Limited) was hereunto affixed in the presence of— Union Steam Ship V Company of New Geo. McLean, I Two Directors of the Zealand (Limited). A. W. Morris,) Company. j

No. 32. The Hon. the Postmaster-General to Captain Russell, M.H.R. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 22nd February, 1900. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 14th instant, suggesting that the time between the arrival of the San Francisco mail at Auckland and its departure be extended by a week or ten days, and, in reply, to inform you that it is intended to arrange for a longer interval when the contract is renewed, so as to afford time for replies from one end of the colony to the other. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. Captain Russell, M.H.R., Flaxmere, Hastings, Napier.

No. 33. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 22nd February, 1900. I have the honour to forward herewith, duly completed by the Postmaster-General, two copies of the San Francisco mail-service agreement, and to request that you will be good enough to have the contract for the year commencing on the Ist April next signed and sealed, and one copy returned to this office at your early convenience. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W. Gray, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 34. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib,— Dunedin, 9th March, 1900. I have the honour to acknowlege the receipt of your favour of the 22nd ultimo, forwarding for signature two copies of the San Francisco mail-contract with the indorsement extending the service for twelve months from Ist April, 1900, and now have the pleasure to return you one copy duly completed. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, for Managing Director. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.