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it has been decided in the meantime to abandon the San Francisco route for mails to and from the United Kingdom. This will, for the present, render the special coastal service between Lyttelton and Onehunga unnecessary. I am without information as to the intentions of the Oceanic Steamship Company for the future, but will advise you immediately should the special coastal service be again necessary. I have, &c, The Managing Director, W. Gray, Secretary. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [S.F. Agr. 07/67.]

No. 237. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd March, 1907. Hβ discontinuance special coastal service between Lyttelton and Onehunga in connection with San Francisco mail, as " Sonoma " has inward mail, kindly arrange for its conveyance. Reply collect urgent. [S.F. Agr. 07/100.]

No. 238. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 23rd March, 1907. Will arrange conveyance, inward mail ex "Sonoma." We have " Corinna " available Onehunga should mail arrive to-day, but understand " Sonoma " not expected until Monday. [S.F. Agr. 07/100.]

PARCEL MAILS.

No. 239. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christohuroh. Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, sth October, 1906. 1 have the honour to refer to the letter from this office, dated the 29th March last [No. 75, F.-6, 1906], concerning the conveyance from New Zealand to the United Kingdom of parcel mails by your company's steamers, and to inform you that it is now proposed that a formal agreement for Ihe performance of the service in question shall be entered into between this Department and your company. The proposed form of agreement has been printed, and a copy, in duplicate, is forwarded herewith. 1 shall be glad if, after perusal, you will be so g_ood as to inform me whether the agreement meets with your company's approval. If it is desired to make any emendation of the terms, kindly return one copy duly marked. I have, &c, The General Manager, W. Gray, Secretary. New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch. [Similar letter sent to Messrs. Levin and Co. (Limited), Agents, Shaw, Savill and Albion Company (Limited), Wellington.] [P.O. 06/2137.]

No. 240. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, g IR) General Post Office, London, 23rd October, 1906. With reference to your letter of the 4th August last [No. 110, F.-6a, 1906], concerning the payments made by your office to the shipping companies beyond the share of the postage allotted for the sea conveyance of parcel mails during the period from the Ist July, 1904, to the 30th