D.—No. 2a,

No. 7.

SUBVEYOB TO TIIE ADMIEALTT TO COMPTBOLLEE OP THE NAVY. Liverpool, 16th February, 18G3. Sir,— In obedience to your commands to proceed to the Tyne for survey of the " Paulet," with the -view to the employment of her on the Inter-colonial Mail Service, between New Zealand and Australia, I have the honor to report — That a first trial was made at a measured mile along shore, outside the river, on the 14th instant. The engines performed in a satisfactory manner ; the speed attained was rather in excess of the speed required, and the vessel is, so far as such inspections can determine, in accordance with the terms of the contract with the Company, dated 28th May, 1858, in respect of power and speed. I have, &c, J. DlNNEN. Admiral K. S. Kobinson, Comptroller of the Navy.

• No. 8. STJEVEYOE TO THE ADMIEALTY TO COMPTEOLLEE OF THE NAVY. Admiralty, 19th February, 1863. Sib,— The enclosed note from two of the Directors of the Inter-colonial Koyal Mail Company having been forwarded to me at Liverpool, I have this day transmitted to them an account of the trials of each day as herein set forth ; and as the contract speed of ten knots on the second day's trial was exceeded, I see no reason why my report on the " Paulet" should not now be sent forward. I have, (fee, J. Dinnen. Admiral Eobert Spencer Kobinson, Comptroller of the Navy.

No. 9. DIBECTOBS OF THE INTEB-COLONIAt BOYAL MAIL COMPANY TO ADMIBALTY SUBVEYOE. I.C.E.M.S.P. Company's Office, Moorgate street, London, 16th February, 1863. Dear Sir, — The Report which we have made to our Court of Directors in regard to the performance of the " Paulet" on her two trials last week not being considered by them to be satisfactory, we shall feel greatly obliged if you will do us the favor of submitting to the Admiralty the circumstances and details of both those trials, viz., the number of runs made by the vessel each day, the speed attained during each run, and the mean speed of the six runs on the first day's trial, and of the eight runs on the second. The Company having had one of their vessels, the " Claud Hamilton," rejected in the Colonies on account of deficiency of speed, the Directors are accordingly anxious to prevent the recurrence of a second similar misfortune. We have, &c, Geoege Blane. J. Dinnen, Esq., Surveyor to the Admiralty.

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NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.