3

F.—6

it necessary to make its own arrangements for the carriage of passengers and cargo between Apia and Pago Pago, which would no doubt include the conveyance of mails. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. W. Blacklock, Esq., Auctioneer and Commission Merchant, Apia, Samoa.

No. 6. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th September, 1900, In reply to cable message [No. 86], have just been advised that " Sierra " is now the first of new steamers, and is expected to leave San Francisco 21st November. If this is so, " Moana " will continue her running as usual. Suggest you get this confirmed.

No. 7. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 24th September, 1900. In what way is position with regard to "Moana" affected? Presume Spreckels will start new service as per contract, substituting " Mariposa " from San Prancisco 31st October, and Sydney 4th December. " Mariposa " will thus leave Sydney fortnight after " Moana," but latter will clash with new steamer from San Francisco during December. Presume "Moana" would not get American subsidy, the only difference in position being that the " Mariposa " from Sydney sth December would not be such a formidable rival to the " Moana " as the new steamer on that date.

No. 8. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th September, 1900. I assumed that new service would not be commenced until 21st November, and from this end 25th December. Our agent added in his cablegram, " Can give nothing more definite at present"; hence my suggestion about your cabling to San Prancisco.

No. 9. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd October, 1900. Frisco service : Spreckels's ten years' contract with United States forces out existing service. Commences San Prancisco November twenty-first: every three weeks thereafter. Return steamer leaves Auckland December twenty-nine: due San Francisco January fourteen. Propose ask Parliament not make fixed contract with Spreckels, but continue pay poundage. Ascertain and reply at once whether Imperial Government agree three-weekly service, and continue present payments sea and land transit: whether fast steamers Atlantic assured both ways. Probably no Frisco despatch from colony November twenty-six, as present service this end ceases with despatch twenty-nine October, which case mails forwarded Suez. Resolutions continuance Spreckels submitted House Monday. Answer urgently required.

No. 10. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. (Telegram.) London, sth October, 1900. Frisco : In answer to your telegram of the 2nd, Post Office must discuss with Treasury question of cost, and therefore cannot yet give definite answer. Postmaster-General wishes to know detailed particulars regarding contract with Spreckels. My opinion is that Post Office will ultimately agree, and I propose to ask Secretary of State for Colonies to help.

No. 11. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Hon. the Post-master-General, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 6th October, 1900. In reference to my telegram to you some time ago [No. 2], indicating that, in view Of the contract entered into by Messrs. Spreckels Brothers with the American Government to place