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No. 61. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, Bth August, 1904. 1 recognise steamers cannot call Brisbane and Auckland without weakening the service, but Federal Postmaster-General states Queensland willing to give up service. What I desire to ascertain is whether Canada concurs in the giving up of Queensland. If so, New Zealand willing to come in and take Queensland's place.

No. 62. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, I.9th August, 1904. This Department considers delay caused by steamers calling Auckland would seriously weaken service. Regret, therefore, unable to agree to proposition.

No. 63. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd August, 1904. Vancouver steamers calling at Fanning Island: I have just learned that Canadian Government has now agreed to the steamers calling, but I await official confirmation.

No. 64. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 23rd August, 1904. Canadian Government grant permission call Fanning Island on same conditions as Federal Government —viz., as a trial, subject withdrawal any time without notice. Cable Board wish first call November, therefore " Moana " from Sydney, 31st October, calls. We await Cable Board's advice re subsequent calls. The arrangement originally proposed was for calls on alternate trips northward, one year —six calls--subject, of course, to mail-contracts after May, when present contracts expire. [Two three-monthly extensions arranged from February, 1905.]

No. 65. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd August, 1904. Vancouver service : Regret Government has failed to induce Canada agree to substitution of Auckland for Brisbane. Following reply received Saturday from Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa: "This Department considers delay caused by steamers calling Auckland would seriously weaken service. Regret therefore unable to agree to proposition." Can you help matter in any way?

No. 66. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd August, 1904. Kindly say exact amounts now received by your company for Vancouver service from Canada, New South Wales, Queensland, Fiji, and any other Governments subsidising.

No. 67.. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 24th August, 1904. Canada pays .£34,090 18s. 2d. : Commonwealth pays £23,863 12s. 9d. ; Fiji pays £2,045 9s. Id. : total, £60,000.

• . No. 68. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 26th August, 1904. Vancouver steamer from Sydney 31st October and every eight weeks thereafter call Fanning, subject to conditions mentioned in my telegram of the 23rd instant.

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