21

F.—6,

No. 43. [Press Extract.] Vancouver Mail Contract. Sydney, 25th February [1906]. It having been asserted that arrangements had been made to renew the Vancouver mail contract with New Zealand as a partner, Mr. James Mills, managing director of the Union Company, states that, taking Sir Joseph Ward's presence in Melbourne as opportune, he (Mr. Mills) interviewed Mr. Deakin and the Federal Postmaster-General on the subject, but nothing resulted to lead to the anticipation that New Zealand would be joined as a partner. The matter, however, is still receiving the consideration of the Federal Government. [Van. News 06/3.]

No. 44. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, Sir,— 9th March, 1906. With reference to your letter of the 20th ultimo, further respecting your desire that you be furnished with copies of the agreement for the renewal of the contract for the carriage of mails between Australia, Fiji, and Canada, I have the honour to inform you that a copy of the agreement in question is not yet available, but so soon as the agreement is printed copies thereof will be forwarded to you. I have, &c, Eobt. T. Scott, Secretary. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand. [Van. Inc. 06/2.]

AUSTEALIA-SUEZ SERVICES.

No. 45. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th September, 1905. Postmaster-General very anxious receive reply to his letter thirteenth May Postmaster-General Commonwealth [No. 1, F.-6a, 1905]. Also reply my letter tenth June [No. 34 idem] re rates payable for conveyance of mails by Peninsular Oriental and Orient steamers. "[Suez Conn. 05/63.]

No. 46. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia (Postmaster-General's Department), Sir, — Melbourne, 3rd October, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo, confirming your telegram of the same date, respecting the desire of the Postmaster-General, New Zealand, to be furnished with a reply to the letter dated the 13th May last, addressed by him to the PostmasterGeneral of the Commonwealth, and yours of the 10th June last, regarding the rates payable by your Administration for the conveyance of mails by steamers of t;he Peninsular and Oriental and Orient Companies, and to inform you that the matter is receiving attention. You will be further advised in due course. I have, &c, Eobt. T. Scott, Secretary.. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.