F.—6

12

No. 35. Mr. John D. Speeckels, San Francisco, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. The J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, San Francisco, Cal., Deae Sib,— 6th April, 1900. I have to advise you that our Government has accepted our proposal for a mail-service to commence Ist November, 1900, and, should nothing unexpected occur, the sailings under the new schedule (copy of which I beg to hand you herewith) will commence on 31st October and continue at intervals of twenty-one days. As the time is quite near when the change will be inaugurated, I am naturally desirous to learn what my company may expect from the colonial Governments in the line of financial support. In view of the immense advantages to be derived from the new service, with modern steamships, more frequent communication, and reduced time, also of the greatly increased cost of operation, I consider that a lump sum of £30,000, in the form of a joint contribution from the colonies, is not by any means an unreasonable amount, postages to be retained by the Governments, and the contract to extend for five or seven years. In fact, I may definitely state that this sum would be accepted as satisfactory if offered to us. The amount mentioned is not greatly in excess of the present revenue of the service from bonuses and postages combined, and even the increased amount for the new service will be largely met through the increased postal revenue, owing to more frequent and expeditious mail-service. In view of the probable discussion of this question in your Parliament, I feel it incumbent upon myself to anticipate certain questions by stating that we cannot undertake to perform the service via any other New Zealand port than Auckland; also that we cannot alter our schedule from the basis on which it is at present planned. In short, my proposal as submitted to you last year, through Mr. Witheford, is still open ; and I shall be glad to learn at your earliest convenience that its acceptance is authorised. I will arrive at Auckland per s.s. "Sierra," leaving here on the sth September on present schedule, when I should have an opportunity of arranging details. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. John D. Spbeckels.

Enclosure in No. 35. Time-table of New Service.

Steamers leave San Francisco, Wednesday, 8 p.m., every three weeks; arrive in Honolulu, Tuesday, 5 a.m.; arrive Samoa, Tuesday, 9 a.m.; arrive Auckland, Monday, 5 a.m.; arrive Sydney, Thursday, 6 p.m.

Steamers. Leave . . Arrive Samoa. Arrive Auckland. Arrive Sydney. 1900. Wednesday. Oct.* 31 Nov. 21 1900. Tuesday. Nov. 6 Nov. 27 1900. Tuesday. Nov. 13 Dec. 4 1900. Monday. Nov. 19 Dec. 10 1900. Thursday. Nov. 22 Dec. 13 1901. Sonoma Sierra Ventura Dec. 12 1901. Dec. 18 1901. Dec. 25 1901. Dec. 31 1901. Jan. 21 Feb. 11 March 4 March 25 April 15 May 6 May 27 June 17 July 8 July 29 Aug. 19 Sept. 9 Sept. 30 Oct. 21 Nov. 11 Dec. 2 Jan. 3 Sonoma Sierra Ventura Jan. 2 Jan. 23 Feb. . 13 March 6 March 27 April 17 May 8 May 29 June 19 July 10 July 31 Aug. 21 Sept. 11 Oct. 2 Oct. 23 Nov. 13 Jan. 8 Jan. 29 Feb. 19 March 12 April 2 April 23 May 14 June 4 June 25 July 16 Aug. 6 Aug. 27 Sept. 17 Oct. 8 Oct. 29 Nov. 19 Jan. 15 Feb. 5 Feb. 26 March 19 April 9 April 30 May 21 June 11 July 2 July 23 Aug 13 Sept. 3 Sept. 24 Oct. 15 Nov. 5 Nov. 26 Jan. 24 Feb. 14 March 7 March 28 April 18 May 9 May 30 June 20 July 11 Aug. 1 Aug. 22 Sept. 12 Oct. 3 Oct. 24 Nov. 14 Dec. 5 Sonoma Sierra Ventura Sonoma Sierra Ventura Sonoma Sierra Ventura Sonoma Sierra Ventura Sonoma