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board the ' Moana' wish to express their hope that a subsidy will not be gran ted to the new American line if British ships are to be excluded from participating in it. (2.) That the gist of the foregoing be cabled direct to the New Zealand Press Agency, and that the full text be forwarded by mail to the New Zealand Postmaster-General." In accordance with the second resolution, the following cable will be despatched on our arrival at San Prancisco to the Press Agency at Wellington : "'Moana'debarred all freight, passengers, Honolulu. Zealanders strongly urge subsidy should be paid only on condition that British ships included." While fully recognising the value to the colony of such a fast and up-to-date service as is contemplated under the new contract, we cannot refrain from expressing our sincere hope that a modus operandi may yet be found, whereby an equally suitable service may be secured, in which British vessels can participate. Possibly the publication in New Zealand of the above cable message, and the explanation contained in this letter, will, by drawing attention to the matter, help to strengthen the hands of the Government in their well-known desire to obtain fair treatment for the British flag. We are, &c, E. Shirtcliffe, P. Oakden, and others. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 2. The Managing Directok, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 14th July, 1900. Frisco service : Be your telegram 26th June [No. 43, F.-6, 1900] : Hope send definite reply shortly. We note that Messrs. Spreckels have secured contract from American Government for three-weekly service San Francisco, Sydney via Auckland, in which our steamer is debarred from participating, and also that under the Hawaiian Act our steamer is debarred from carrying cargo and passengers between Honolulu and San Francisco. This being so, it is probable we shall be compelled to ask Postmaster-General, after having carried on the service for the past fifteen years, to relieve us from our sailings from Auckland after 29th October. That is commencing with "Moana" 26th November. This will leave a gap of six weeks between 29th October and Bth December, but we will arrange to afford you as good a connection as possible with the Federal or Vancouver service during that interval.

No. 3. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 18th July, 1900. I beg leave to request that I may have as early an intimation as possible as to the intention of the Government as regards the renewal or extension of the mail-service via San Francisco or the establishment of any additional service. There are reports prevalent with respect to this matter, which is a subject of considerable interest to those connected with New Zealand, and I am having inquiries made with respect thereto, to which I shall be glad to be in a position to reply. I have, &c, The. Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Reeves.

No. 4. Mr. W. Blacklock, Apia, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir,- Apia, Samoa, 16th August, 1900. I understand that it is the intention of the Oceanic Steamship Company to change the port of call for their steamers from Apia to Pago Pago in this group, and in this case you might wish to make arrangements for the transportation of New Zealand mails from Pago Pago to Apia. My object in writing to you is to let you know that I have put on a steamer between Pago Pago and Apia, and am prepared to enter into an agreement to carry mails. Yours, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. W. Blacklock.

No. 5. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Mr. W. Blacklock, Apia. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 31st August, 1900. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, intimating that you are prepared to enter into an agreement to convey mails between Pago Pago and Apia when the steamers of the Oceanic Steamship Company call at the former port in the place of Apia. In reply, I am to state that the transport of mails between places in the Samoan group would probably be provided for by the local authorities, The Oceanic Steamship Company may also find