H.—27.

Term to be three years, and service to commence in May or within two months after contract signed. Subsidy to be at the rate of £27,000 per annum, payable monthly. Option to call at New South Wales port for coal one way when contractors consider it inexpedient to send steamer to Westport or Greymouth for her own coal. A fourth steamer to be provided when the trade requires more frequent sailings. I have, &c, Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), (James Mills, Managing Director), As Agents for the New Zealand and South African Steamship Company. The Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Wellington.

No. 3. Mr. Harold C. Sleigh to the Agent-General. 28, Gracechurch Street, London, 11th February, 1902. S IEj Steam Service, Neiv Zealand to South Africa. In conformity with the advertisement appearing in the Times, dated 28th January, 1902, I beg to make the following tender for the service required : — Sailings. —The steamers to leave New Zealand at intervals of not less than one month. Loading-ports.—The steamers to load at four ports in New Zealand, calling at each in geographical order, and remaining at each port a sufficient time to load cargo offered and booked for that voyage. The Government of New Zealand have the option of naming any four leading ports, always provided that such option is declared and the ports named a reasonable time before the arrival of the steamers in New Zealand. It is understood that these ports are to be such as are usual for these-size steamers to load at. Discharging-ports.— Steamers to discharge at three ports in South Africa—viz., Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town. The steamers are also to have the liberty of calling at Beira, Lorenzo Marques, and East London should sufficient inducement be offered by shippers in New Zealand to extend the service to these ports. Bates of Freight to be as follows : Wheat and flour, 30s. per ton of -2,2401b.; barley, 325. 6d. per ton of 2,2401b.; oats, 355. per ton of 2,2401b.; bran, 40s. per ton of 2,2401b.; potatoes in sacks, 40s. per ton of 2,2401b.; potatoes in boxes, 375. 6d. per ton of 2,2401b. of 50 cubic feet; hay (oaten or meadow), 375. 6d. per ton of 2,2401b. of 50 cubic feet. Frozen meat and dairy produce, together with all cargo carried in insulated chambers, at rates not less than those in existence between New Zealand and London. Horses and fat cattle at £12 10s. per head on number shipped. Other cargoes at rates not less than those by mail companies between New Zealand and London, and as scheduled by the New Zealand Government. Steamers.— -Four first-class modern steamers to be employed in this service, to give a dead-weight-cargo capacity of not less than 4,000 tons upon a draught of water which will allow them to discharge alongside the wharves at South African ports where such facilities exist. Steamers to maintain a speed'of not less than llf knots. Steamers to be fitted with modern appliances for the discharge of cargo. Steamers to be insulated for the carriage of about 500 tons of refrigerated produce. To provide accommodation for thirty saloon passengers as required by the Government. Passenger fittings to be modern and of good design. To be permanently fitted with modern horse fittings on the upper deck for the carriage of horses and live-stock. Space to be provided for the proper carriage of mails. Provided that sufficient cargo cannot be supplied by the Colony of New Zealand to fill these steamers, then the owners are to have the liberty of calling at Australian ports to fill up at rates not under those quoted herein. Port of Registry. —Steamers are to be registered at a New Zealand port, and are to be victualled and docked as far as practicable in New Zealand, all necessary repairs and renewals being made in that colony if possible. I beg to offer to maintain the above service in a proper manner for the yearly sum of £30,000, payable in equal instalments upon the completion of each round voyage. It being impossible to at once commence this service with the actual steamers required, I propose to inaugurate it with first-class cargo-boats, replacing these as quickly as the insulated steamers can be placed in the trade. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Haeold C. Sleigh.

No. 4. Mr. Haeold C. Sleigh to the Agent-General. 28, Gracechurch Street, E.C., 6th March, 1902. g IE Steam Service, New Zealand to South Africa. With reference to my tender of 11th ultimo, I now beg to advise you that, owing to arrangements since made, I am, if necessary, able to increase the speed of the proposed service to thirteen knots. I shall be obliged by your communicating this to the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Haeold C. Sleigh.

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