D.~No. 2a.

vessel in the New Zealand Postal Service, until her speed has been tested. But, as the loss of the " Lord Worsley" deprives the Inter-colonial Royal Mail Company of their spare boat, and as the " Airedale" and " Lord Ashley" require overhauling, the Government will pay a subsidy to the " Claud Hamilton," if she performs her work on the line between Sydney and Auckland as a substitute vessel merely until the Company's new ship shall arrive, provided the Inter-colonial Royal Mail Company will guarantee the Colony against a surcharge by the Imperial Government for so doing. I have, <tc, G. Eliott Eliott, Secretary. The General Manager Inter-colonial Royal Mail Company, Sydney.

No. 12. CAPTAIN J. V. HALL TO THE HONORABLE THE POSTMASTER-GENBUAL. Inter-colonial Royal Mail Company, Sydney and New Zealand, Sydney, December 3rd, 1862. Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of November Gtli, and, in reference to the latter part, beg to say that I have seen Mr. Ward respecting the "Claud Hamilton," and enclose copy of my letter to that gentleman, relative to the employment of the said ship. I now respectfully request that, in accordance with my letter, and with Mr. Ward's recommendation, the " Claud Hamilton" may be permitted to perform the service between Sydney and Auckland during the period that must elapse till I have a vessel from England to replace the " Worsley," unfortunately lost in September. I may take this opportunity to remark that I shewed Mr. Ward my advices and particulars of a first-class steamer, eight hundred tons, one hundred and fifty horse power, purchased by the Intercolonial Royal Mail Company, to be launched about this time, and to leave England in January. She will be in every respect a very superior ship, and I doubt not. will give perfect satisfaction to the Government and the public. I also expect another new vessel of six hundred tons to be despatched in February from England. Meanwhile, I am maintaining the present vessels in the most efficient state ; and, therefore, seeing the promptitude and exertions the Company are manifesting, I trust the Government will raise no objection to the temporary and occasional employment of the "Claud Hamilton," whilst her performance is satisfactory. No effort on my part, as the Colonial Manager of the Inter-colonial Royal Mail Company, will be wanting to render the future New Zealand Mail Service entirety satisfactory. I have, &c, John Vine Hall, General Manager. The Honorable the Postmaster-General, Auckland.

No. 13. CAPTAIN J. V. HALL TO THE nONOEABLE THE POSTMASTEK-GENEBAL, AUCKLAND. Inter-colonial Royal Mail Company, Sydney and New Zealand, Melbourne, November 26th, 1862. Sir,— I shall be prepared, on the part of the Inter-Colonial Royal Mail Company, to commence the East Coast Service of New Zealand, on March 17th, 1863, from Otago, for the sum of £7,000 per annum, by placing the "Ashley" upon that line, if you will recommend the Government of New Zealand to permit the " Claud Hamilton," on my application (voyage per voyage), to perform the Auckland Service, until I have an opportunity of testing her speed at the measured mile, or until the Company's new ship (expected to leave England in January, 1863,) shall arrive. I have, &c, John Vine Hall, General Manager, I.C.Il. Mail Company. The Honorable the Postmaster-General, Auckland.

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NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.