F.—4.

22

We shall be glad to have the monthly statement promised for the future. We have, &c, Gilcheist, Watt, and Co., General Agents for the Contractors, San Francisco Mail Service. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 72. Mr. Geay to Messrs. Gilcheist, Watt, and Co. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 30th November, 1876. I have the honor, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th ultimo, in reply to mine of the 7th of October, in which you state that the several payments mentioned in the schedule which accompanied my letter had been duly credited you by the Bank of New Zealand. I now beg to forward you a statement of the several amounts scheduled since the date of my communication before referred to up to the present date, and shall be glad to receive an early acknowledgment from you of the same. I have, &c, W. Geay, Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. Secretary

Enclosure in No. 72. STATEMENT showing the several Amounts passed to the Credit of Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney, at the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, by the Government of New Zealand, between the 3rd October and 30th November, 1876, on account of the Pacific Mail Company.

No. 73. Messrs. Gilcheist, Watt, and Co., to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Sir,— Sydney, 18th December, 1876. We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 30th ultimo, enclosing schedule of payments to our credit with Bank of New Zealand up to 29th November (last date), and to state that the several amounts have been duly credited by the Bank to us. We have, &c, Gilcheist, Watt, and Co., General Agents for the Contractors, San Francisco Mail Service. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 74. Mr. Geay to Messrs. Gilcheist, Watt and Co. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 17th January, 1877. I beg to forward you herewith a statement of the amount passed to your credit at the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, by the Government of this colony, on account of the San Francisco Mail Contract, during the month of December, 1876. I have, &c, W. Geay, Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. Secretary.

When Lodged. Service. Amount. Total. 1876. ictober 23 To subsidy San Francisco Mail Service, performed by steamers " City of New York" and "Australia," from San Francisco to Auckland, from 13th September to 8th October, 1876, 575 hours ... To subsidy San Francisco Mail Service, performed by s.s. " City of Sydney," from Port Chalmers to San Francisco, from 20th September to 18th October, 1876, within 722 hours... To bonus earned by s.s. " Australia " for delivering San Francisco mails at Port Chalmers on 12th October, 1876, 38 hours under contract time, at £5 per hour ... To subsidy San Francisco Mail Service, performed by steamers " Zealandia " and " City of New York," from San Francisco to Port Chalmers, from 11th October to 10th November, 1876 j contract time, 722 hours Time occupied, 710 hours ; bonus at £5 per hour, 12 hours To bonus earned by s.s. " Zealandia " for delivering New Zealand mails at San Francisco on 19th September, 1876, 44 hours under contract time, at £5 per hour To subsidy San Francisco Mail Service, service from Port Chalmers to San Francisco, performed by s.s. " Australia," from 18th October, to 15th November, 1876, within 722 hours £ s. d. £ b. d. ovember 1 1,729 16 2 ., 2 1,729 16 2 „ 14 190 0 0 1,729 16 2 60 0 0 1,789 16 2 » 29 a it i 11 220 0 0 1,729 16 2 £7,389 4 8 W. Geay, Secretary. Generi il Post Office, Wellington, 30th November, 1877.