F.—6.

Should the mail arrive later in the week, and it be necessary to detain our steamer after the ordinary date of sailing, £50 to be paid for the first twenty-four hours or any portion thereof, and a proportionate payment for detention beyond twenty-four hours. During the same period the outward mails from the south, which arrive at Wellington on the Wednesday, to be conveyed to New Plymouth by Thursday's ordinary train. The daily service between New Plymouth and Onehunga to be resumed during the summer months. While this service continues, should the inward mail arrive on Monday it is to be conveyed through to Wellington by steamer. Should it arrive on Tuesday, it is to be conveyed to New Plymouth only, and thence by ordinary or special train. During the same period the outward mail from the south to be conveyed by steamers from Wellington on Wednesdays, the same steamer waiting at Nqw Plymouth on Thursday evening for a supplementary mail by ordinary train. Other conditions, as set forth in clauses 1, 2, 3, and 5 of your letter of Ist July, 1899 [No. 23, F.-6a, 1899], to remain as at present. I shall be glad if you will confirm this arrangement. I have, &c, Jambs Mills, Managing Director. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 109. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 20th August, 1902. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the Bth ultimo, informing me of the terms on which your company is prepared to agree to a renewal, for a period of twelve months from the Ist July last, of the service for the coastal collection and distribution of the San Francisco mail. In reply, I have to inform you that your letter has been submitted to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, who has approved of *the extension of the period of contract until the date of expiry of the existing agreement with the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company, which will probably be about July next. The conditions of the renewed service are to be understood to be the same as those which now apply, with the exception that the Department will not be required to make payment for the detention to Tuesday of the Monday steamer at Onehunga through the late arrival of the inward San Francisco mail. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W. Gray, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 110. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 3rd April, 1903. I have the honour to advise you that it is our intention after Easter to discontinue temporarily the daily service between Onehunga and New Plymouth, and to revert to the sailings which were in force before December last; that is to say, steamers will leave Onehunga for New Plymouth on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and from New Plymouth for Onehunga on"Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I have also to advise you that, commencing with the " Mokoia " from Wellington on the 11th instant, the steamers for Sydney via Cook Strait will meantime take their departure from Wellington on Saturdays, instead of on Fridays, as has been the custom for the last few months. I have, &c, S. K. Sleigh, for General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 111. The Acting Chief Postmaster, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 14th April, 1903. Have just been notified that, commencing Friday next, the daily service between Onehunga and New Plymouth will be discontinued for the present, and that the old time-table will be reverted to. Union Company steamers will leave Onehunga Mondays and Thursdays, and Northern Company's on Sundays and Wednesdays. When San Francisco mail is expected the Monday's steamer will, when necessary, be kept till late on Tuesday afternoon. Approximate Cost of Paper -Preparation, not given printing (1,450 copies), £16 12s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3. Price, 9d.)

5—F. 6.

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