H.—27.

1902. NEW ZEALAND.

SOUTH AFRICAN STEAM SERVICE (PARTICULARS OF TENDERS RECEIVED FOR); AND DRAFT CONTRACT WITH THE BLUE STAR LINE STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated 10th July, 1902. Ordered, " That there be laid before thia House a return showing copies of the draft eontraot with the Blue Star Line Steamship Company for South African steam service, with full particulars of the tenders received in response to the advertisement calling for same."—(Mr. G. J. Smith.)

No. 1. Advertisement. Steam Service from New Zealand to South Africa. Tendbbs are invited by the New Zealand Government for a direct steam service between New Zealand ports and South Africa, and for an alternative service between New Zealand ports, Western Australia, and South Africa. Pour loading-ports in New Zealand in geographical order, and three ports of discharge in South Africa —viz., Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Table Bay. The maximum subsidy available for such service is £30,000 per annum. The service to be monthly. The present contract to be for a period of three years. The steamers must be fitted with refrigerators to carry frozen meat and other refrigerated produce. Steamers to be not less than 2,000 tons and not more than 4,000 tons capacity. Their draught when loaded must enable them to discharge at wharves at above ports. Accommodation for passengers and mails will be required. Steamers will require to have accommodation for the conveyance of live-stock. Preference will be given to tenderers offering highest speed and best passenger accommodation. Speed of steamers to be not less than ten knots an hour. The rates of freight from the various New Zealand ports to be as follows : Wheat, at per ton weight, 30s. ; flour, at per ton weight, 305.; barley, at per ton weight, 325. Gd.; oats, at per ton weight, 355.; bran, at per ton weight, 405.; potatoes in sacks, at per ton weight, 40s. ; hay, oaten or meadow, pressed in bales, at per ton of 50 cubic feet measurement, 375. 6d. ; potatoes in boxes, at per ton of 50 cubic feet measurement, 375. 6d. ; frozen meat and dairy produce at current summer rates ruling between New Zealand and London; other goods at proportionate rates at not less than those current between New Zealand and London, from time to time to be fixed by the New Zealand Government. Contractors tendering for alternative service to state price for cargo for Western Australia discharging at Fremantle. The maximum cargo for Western Australia not to be more than onefourth and the minimum, if offering, not less than three-sixteenths of the steamer's carryingcapacity. Marked written tenders, to be addressed to the Secretary for Industries and Commerce, Wellington, or to the Agent-General for New Zealand, London, will be received up to the 14th February proximo. Telegraphic tenders will also be received up to the same date. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. T. B. Donne, Wellington, 25th January, 1902. Secretary, Industries and Commerce.

No. 2. The Union Steamship Company to the Secsetaey foe Indtjstkies and Commeece. Sib,— Dunedin, 12th February, 1902. As agents for the New Zealand and South African Steamship Company, we offer to provide a regular service between this colony and South Africa with three steamers, sailing monthly or as near thereto as possible. Steamers to be of 3,000 to 4,000 tons gross register, and capable of maintaining nine to ten knots; to have ample refrigerating-space; without first-class accommodation, but to have thirdclass accommodation fitted if found necessary. Maximum rates of freight to South African ports to be as per advertisement. Maximum rates to Fremantle not to exceed those quoted to South Africa.

I—H. 27.