11

H.— 27

18. Each voyage from Fremantle to the first South African port of call shall be completed at art average ocean speed of eleven knots per hour : Provided that, before the Contractors shall employ in the service under this contract any steamer having an average ocean speed of twelve knots or more per hour, the written consent of the Government must be first obtained. 19. In the event of any steamer failing to complete the voyage from Fremantle to the first South African port of call at an average ocean speed of eleven knots per hour after making any deduction of time authorised by paragraph 20, then and in such case there shall be deducted from any subsidy payable in respect of such voyage such sum of money as the Government shall deem reasonable, but not exceeding the rates hereinafter specified, provided that there shall not be deducted in respect of any one voyage a greater sum than five hundred pounds, that is to say :— For the first half knot or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be below the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, in the sum of fifty pounds. For the first knot or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be below the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of one hundred pounds. For the first one and a quarter knots or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be below the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds. For the first one and a half knots or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be below the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of two hundred pounds. For the first one and three-quarters knots or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be below the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of three hundred pounds. For the first two knots or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be below the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of five hundred pounds. And in the event of any steamer completing the voyage from Fremantle to the first South African port of call at a greater average speed than eleven knots per hour (after making the allowance of time authorised by paragraph 20), then, and in such caes, there shall be added to the subsidy payable in respect of such voyage and paid to the Contractor, such sum of money by way of bonus as the Government may deem reasonable, but not less than at the rates hereinafter provided and not exceeding, in respect of any one voyage, the sum of five hundred pounds, that is to say,— For the first quarter knot or less per hour by which the actual average ecean speed shall be above the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of one hundred pounds. For the first half knot or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be above the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds. For the first three-quarters of a knot or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be above the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of two hundred and twenty-five pounds. For the first knot or less by which the actual average ocean speed shall be above the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of three hundred and fifty pounds. For the first one and a quarter knots or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be above the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of four hundred and fifty pounds. For the first one and a half knots or less per hour by which the actual average ocean speed shall be above the average ocean speed hereinbefore mentioned, the sum of five hundred pounds. The actual average ocean speed for the purpose of this clause shall be ascertained over such portion of the voyage as lies between outside the limits of the Port of Fremantle and outside the limits of the first South African port of call, and the entries duly and properly made by the captain of such steamer in his log-book shall be received as conclusive evidence of the time occupied by the voyage. It is agreed, for the purpose of arriving at such average ocean-going rate of speed, that the mileage outside the limits of the above-mentioned ports is as follows : Between Fremantle and Durban, 4,400 nautical miles ; between Fremantle and Cape Town, 5,060 nautical miles ; between Fremantle and Port Elizabeth, 4,600 nautical miles. 20. Provided always that in the event of any such steamer carrying live-stock being compelled by stress of weather to slow down, or alter or deviate from its course, or otherwise delay its voyage for the safety or benefit of such live-stock, the time lost on such voyage by reason thereof shall, for the purpose of every provision of this agreement, be deducted from the actual time occupied by the steamer on such voyage, and the entries duly and properly made by the captain of such vessel in his log-book of the circumstances aforesaid, and of the delay thereby caused in such voyage, shall be received as conclusive evidence thereof. 21. Provided always that no such sums shall be paid or received by the Contractors in respect of any voyage made during the first twelve months if the Contractors shall exercise the power of determination expressed in the 26th paragraph hereof. But if such power of determination shall not be exercised, such sums shall be paid or received by the Contractors, as the case may be, at the same time as the subsidy of £30,000 is payable to them under the provisions of this agreement. And during the residue of the term of three years herein provided such sums shall be paid or received by the Contractors, as the case may be, at the conclusion of each such voyage. 22. The Contractor will convey all mails which the Postmaster-General shall at any time require the Contractors to convey between the said colony and Western Australia, and between