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but in the time-table supplied by Messrs. Spreckels Pago Pago is substituted for Apia. I understand that a small steamer is to run between Apia and Pago Pago, connecting with Spreckels's vessels. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W. Gray, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 44. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — General Post Office, Sydney, 22nd December, 1900. Referring to your cablegram of the 17th instant, intimating that the temporary agreement with Messrs. Spreckels in regard to the San Francisco mail service in no way commits this colony, and that the question of payment was not under consideration, I am directed to inform you that this department has arranged with the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited) to pay the under-mentioned rates for mail-matter despatched hence by the San Francisco mail steamers, commencing with the " Alameda," which left Sydney on the Ist idem : namely, Letters and post-cards, 2s. per pound ; other mail-matter, 4s. 6d. per hundredweight. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 45. The [Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Dunedin, 4th January, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 20th ultimo, advising that the department has decided to regard Pago Pago as the regular port of call in Samoa of the San Francisco mail-steamers, for which I am obliged. I have written to our agents at Samoa to send us full details of the time-table, &c, of the small steamer that makes the connection between Apia and Pago Pago. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, for Managing Director. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 46. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, San Francisco. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 9th January, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th November last, advising your intention not to enter into a contract with the New Zealand Government for the conveyance of mails until you were in a position, from the experience gained after a few trips of the new steamers, to formulate a mutually satisfactory schedule, and that in the meantime you would carry the mails on the basis of payment for weight. May I express the hope that Mr. J. D. Spreckels will find it convenient to carry out his intention to visit New Zealand at an early date ? I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. Messrs. the J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, San Francisco.

No. 47. The Under-Secretary and Superintendent of Telegraphs, Brisbane, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Post and Telegraph Department, Brisbane, 14th January, 1901. I have the honour to inquire whether payment is to continue at the same rate as hitherto for the sea transit of correspondence forwarded by this department vid San Francisco—viz., For letters, 12s. per pound weight; for packets, Is. 6d. per pound weight; and for newspapers, Is. per pound weight. I have, &c, Robt. J. Scott, Under-Secretary and Superintendent of Telegraphs. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 48. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir, — Dunedin, 17th January, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 19th ultimo, advising that, in the absence of instructions as to whom the payment of mailages is to be made to under the