D.—No. 2a.

Taranaki, and Manukau, the Government are anxious that this charter should include a provision for the Steamer to call also at Raglan each trip, waiting there six hours; and I should feel obliged if you would cause such provision to be inserted accordingly. I have, <fec, Alfred Domett. The Honorable W. B. D. Mantell, Wellington.

No. 3. THE HONORABLE W. B. D. MANTELL TO THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECBETABY. Wellington, 14th July, 18G3. Sir,— I have the honor to enclose copies of the arrangement entered into by me on behalf of the Government, with the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, for a vessel to run constantly between this Port, Whanganui, Taranaki, Raglan, and Mauukau, in accordance with the wish expressed in your letters of the 6th and 7th July, instant, Nos. 374 and 376. The Superintendent of Wellington begs me to recommend that the Master or some one on board the Steamer in this Service should be authorised and instructed to bring to, board and search for, and seize ammunition on board of any coasters of suspicious appearance. 1 think the suggestion good and concur in it. But His Honor informed me that, as might be expected, the Company think that such service should be undertaken by some officer of Government, whose passage would be ground for an additional charge, as well as any detention caused by Ms discharge of this duty. 1 trust that Government will give their serious consideration to this or some other plan of checking the abominable traffic in question. I have only to add that the terms arranged between the Company and the Government in this Charter are considered liberal (on the part of the former), by those qualified to judge, with whom I have spoken on the matter. I have, <fcc, Walter Mantell. The Honorable Alfred Domett, Auckland

No. 4. ME. CAEKEEK TO THE HONOBABLE W. B. D. MANTELL. Custom House, Wellington, 14th July, 1863. Sir,— Enclosed herewith, I do myself the honor to forward for your information, all the documents relating to the charter of a steamer from the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, having this day arranged all the details in compliance with the instructions contained in your minute of the 11th instant, on the Tender of the Company. I have, &c, S. Carkeek, Collector. The Honorable W. B. D. Mantell, Wellington.

No. 5. MESSES. DUNCAN AND VENNELL TO THE HONORABLE W. B. D. MANTELL. New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, Wellington, 11th July, 1863. Sir,— At a meeting of Directors held this day for the purpose of considering your proposal for the service of one of our Steamers on the West Coast, we were authorized to tender the services of one of the Company's Steamers to run from Wellington to Manukau, calling at Whanganui, Taranaki. and Raglan, returning by the same route, for the sum of Two hundred pounds per trip. This service would be performed at least twice a month, or more frequently if practicable. We have, <fec, DUNCAJT AND VENNELL, Managers. The Honorable W. B. D. Mantell, Wellington.

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