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No. 47. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. Sir,— . General Post Office, Wellington, 10th February, 1906. I have the honour to inform you that it is observed from a cablegram from Melbourne of the 31st ultimo that the Federal Cabinet had finished the consideration of the conditions of tenders to be called for a new European mail contract. I shall be obliged if you will favour me with a few copies of the public advertisements to be issued on this matter. I have, ifec, Thomas Rose, for Secretary. The Secretary to the Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. [Suez Conn. 06/4J
No. 48. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington (at Melbourne), to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 20th February, 1906. Cable immediately difference between old rates paid Australian Government our homeward Suez mails and Postal Union rates from commencement Spreekels's service until we began paying Union rates. i [Suez Conn. 06/7.]
No. 49. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, (at Melbourne). (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th February, 1906. Difference between old rates paid Australian Government homeward Suez mails from November, nineteen hundred, when Spreckels's service commenced, and Postal Union rates, £11,077, as follows: Totals at present rates, £16,311; totals at Postal Union rates, £5,234. This is to end of 1904, since when nothing paid. For 1905, on same basis add £2,576, giving total difference £13,653. The old rates were twelve shillings letters, one shilling sixpence books, sixpence news. Postal Union rates would be, for letters, 3s. 1.7 d.; for other articles, 3.76 d.
No. 50. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, Sir, — Melbourne, 21st February, 1906. In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 10th instant, I have the honour to forward herewith four copies of the advertisement inviting tenders in connection with the new ocean mail-service; also a supply of tender forms, with general conditions attached. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Robt. T. Scott, Secretary. [Suez Conn. 06/12.]
No. 51. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, g IB) _ . 30th March, 1906. With reference to the arrangement under which (without payment of gratuity by the Sydney office of this Department) vessels of the Union and Huddart Parker lines may be utilised for the onward transmission of the closed mails for New Zealand received at Sydney, via Suez, I have the honour to ask if you will kindly inform me whether it has been extended so as to embrace the steamers of the Oceanic Steamship Company, as it may occasionally happen that the New Zealand portion of the mail brought by a P. and 0. packet will arrive in Sydney in time to go forward from there by a vessel of the Oceanic line. I shall be glad if you will also advise me as to the action it is desired should be taken by the Sydney office with respect to the adjustment of any gratuity which it might be found necessary, in order to secure an advantage in the time of transit, to pay for the onward conveyance of the mail matter in question by a packet not belonging to any one of the three companies mentioned. I have, &c, Robt. T. Scott, Secretary. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [P.O. 06/1259.]