F.—4

58

Government to the Australasian Steam Navigation Company, Sydney, which latter amount was accepted by the Company in full of all demands in the matter of their claim for loss sustained through the overlapping of the temporary mail service between Sydney and San Francisco by the steamships of the permanent Contractors, and which payment it was agreed should be borne in equal sums by the Governments of New South Wales and New Zealand. I have, &c, W. Geay, The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Secretary.

No. 173. Mr. Lambton to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic, — Sydney, 4th May, 1877. I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 6th ultimo, enclosing a draft for the sum of £250, being a moiety of the sum of £500, to be paid to the Australasian Steam Navigation Company on account of loss sustained through the overlapping of the temporary mail service between Sydney and San Francisco by the ships of the permanent Contractors. In reply, I am to state that the amount in question will be paid over to the Company so soon as the moiety of this colony is voted by Parliament, which will probably be done in a week or two. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Secretary.

By Authority: George Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington. —1877. Price 2s. 3d.]