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(2.) For the Papeete-Wellington section alone — Letters, 13 - 52d. per pound ; Other articles, 1"69d. per pound. (3.) For mails from San Francisco to Sydney— San Francisco to Papeete — Letters, 17 - 50d. per pound ; Other articles, 2 - 20d. per pound. Papeete to Wellington— Letters, 11'27d. per pound ; Other articles, l - 39d. per pound. Wellington to Sydney — Letters, 5 - 79d. per pound ; Other articles, 0 - 73d. per pound. The foregoing rates refer to mail-matter from America only, and cover the maximum sea-distance rates allowed under the Postal Union Convention of Rome—namely, 8 francs per kilogramme for letters and 1 franc per kilogramme for other articles. For mails from the United Kingdom, the rates lor Atlantic transit are fixed rates of 4 francs per kilogramme for letters and 50 centimes per kilogramme for other articles. The balance of the total sea-distance rates payable for the Pacific transit on mailmatter from the United Kingdom, &c, is, therefore, one-half the rates shown above. The proposed time-table will be submitted to the Postmaster-General for approval as early as possible. I note that the voyage from San Francisco to Wellington is three days longer than from Wellington to San Francisco. I trust that you will be successful in inducing Messrs. Spreckels Bros, to cut down their stay at Papeete to two days, so that the time in both directions may be twenty-three days. As regards the request to alter the time of sailing in July in order to give your steamer a longer time at Papeete on that voyage, I fear it would not be possible to agree to any alteration which would interfere with the speedy transport of mails. It is intended that the new service shall be regarded as a regular mail-service to the United States, as it is anticipated that the steamer running from Wellington will carry a large mail to America from both New Zealand and Australia. As regards the handling of Australian mails at Wellington, this Department will undertake the transhipment on both the outward and inward voyages. You have not yet advised me whether you are making any arrangement with the Huddart, Parker, and Co. Proprietary in the event of mails being sent from here to Sydney by one of their steamers. It would be desirable to settle this; otherwise the United States Post Office would regard this Department as responsible for the allotment of the share of the subsidy for the Auckland-Sydney section. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington. [P.O. 08/3861 (2).J

No. 37. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Washington. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th November, 1908. TAHiTi-Wellington service : Spreckels advises Union Company sea-transit rates American matter San Francisco New Zealand four francs kilogramme letters, fifty centimes other matter. Should not rates be double quoted under Rome Convention, Article four ? [P.O. 08/3861.|

No. 38. The Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 17th November, 1908. In a letter dated the 14th instant, the general manager writes me that as soon as it is known definitely what poundage-rates will accrue to us under our contract we will take up with Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co. the question of what shall be payable to them on those occasions when the Australian connection is made by their steamers. I presume, however, that this would be arranged through you, and that you will be willing to arrange with us on a mileage basis, according to Postal Union Regulations, and pay Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co. direct, accordingly. I shall be glad if you will kindly let me have your advice on the point. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. W. A. Kennedy, Manager. [P.O. 08/3861.]