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Kingdom mails by the subsidised service between Tahiti and New Zealand. From this letter it will be seen that the London Post Office is not prepared to pay for the transit of its mails for the section in question on a statistical basis as requested by this Department, but asks that the matter may be referred to your Administration for consideration of the division of the charges. Under the circumstances this Department would be glad to be advised what action the United States Post Office is prepared to take in the matter. I have, kc, W. It. Morris, Acting-Secretary. The Second Assistant Postmaster-General, Division of Foreign Mails, Washington, D.C. [P.O. 09/311.]

No. 63. The Acting-Secretary, (leneral Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sin. General Post Office, Wellington. 28th June. 1909. 1 have the honour to enclose a statement [not printed] showing the sum of £9 9s. 4d. to have been paid to vour company for the conveyance of mails on the coast, of New Zealand |January to Apiil] en mute to and from the Wellington Tahiti contract steamer. The subsidy for the Wellington-Tahiti service covers the coal of the conveyance in question, and the payment was made by mistake. 1 request, therefore, that you will kindly have the amount repaid into the Public Account at the Bank of New Zealand, and the receipt sent to this office. I have, &c, W. R. Morris, Acting-Secretary. The (leneral Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [ P.O. 00/31 1(2).] ___^_^___^^^^

No. 64. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company. Dunedin, to the Acting-Secretary, General fost Office, Wellington. Sir, — Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, 12th July, 1909. I have to acknowledge due receipt of your letter of 28th ultimo, with regard to payments for mails carried coastwise to connect with the Wellington-Tahiti steamer. Our understanding was that the subsidy covered only the service from Wellington, but we are looking up the original correspondence, and will have the pleasure of communicating with you on the subject again. I have, <fec, R. McK. McLennan, for General Manager. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [P.O. 09/311(2). |

No. 65. The AcuTNG-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— (leneral Post Office, Wellington, 17th July, 1909. I have the honour to forward herewith two copies of the draft contract for the performance by your company of the New Zealand - Tahiti mail-service. If you agree that the document is in form for signature, kindly have the copies signed, and return them to this office for completion. In light of your letter of the 12th instant, section 13 of the contract calls for your further consideration ; but I shall be glad to have the copies back at your earliest convenience. lam not aware that in his oral communication with the representative of your company the Secretary agreed to the Department's making separate payment for the conveyance of coastwise mails intended to be carried by the contract steamers. I have, kc., W. R. Morris, Acting-Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [P.O. 09/311(2).]

No. 66. The Acting-Secretary, (leneral Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office. Wellington, 30th July, 1909. To enable this office to render accounts on behalf of your company for the conveyance of United States mails from Papeete lo New Zealand by the subsidised steamers, I requested the Washington Post Office to furnish statements of the weights of the mails in question. The Washington office replies that it settles with Messrs. J. I). Spreckels and Brother, of San Francisco, as agents for your company, for the conveyance of mails from Papeete to New Zealand, and that it will not, therefore, be necessary to furnish the weight-statements. I shall be glad if you will inform me whether the arrangement under which settlement is made on your behalf with Messrs. J. D. Spreckels and Brother obtains in respect of all mails received by the Papeete-Wellington subsidised steamers. I have, &c, W. R. Morris, Acting-Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [P.O. 09/311(2).]