F.—3

2

No. 2. Mr. Geay to Mr. C. Creighton. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 27th August, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, together with the three enclosures therein, containing the representations of yourself to the Postmaster-General of the United States, and also those of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, in favour of aid from the United States Government to the San Francisco Mail Service. I beg to thank you for your action, which has been duly submitted for the consideration of the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral. I have, &c, C. Creighton, Esq., Acting Eesident Agent for New Zealand, W. Gray, Montgomery Street, San Francisco. Secretary.

No. 3. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel to the Hon. the Postmastee-General, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th May, 1885. We propose to negotiate for fast service between Auckland Frisco. Two steamers for five years. We will also arrange for connection Sydney Auckland by separate steamers. I wish ascertain if you will be willing continue to pay present subsidy for use of line on present terms, with reservation that, if English Government throw on us extra cost for carriage mails between Frisco London, and London Frisco, you bear same for your portion mail, With this reservation we propose offering continue carriage mails other colonies, same as present; but think you should pay moderate fixed subsidy, as Sydney will be first and last port arrival departure in Australia. Ido not anticipate any change made by English Government will much increase cost. Kindly reply promptly. Hon. Postmaster-General, Sydney. Julius Vogel.

No. 4. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 12th May, 1885. Inclined to agree to your proposition as to accelerated Frisco mail, on understanding that branch service to Sydney forms part of contract, and steamers connect without loss of time; but must consult Cabinet. James Noeton, Hon. Postmaster-General, Wellington. Postmaster-General.

No. 5. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th May, 1885. Uegently require decision regarding continuing Frisco service. May we rely present postal arrangements until January, eighty-eight ? The Agent-General, London.

No. 6. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 21st May, 1885. Fe'isco service.—Lefevre has asked Treasury for decision. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington.

No. 7. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 23rd May, 1885. Fit'isco —Treasury decision not disturb present arrangements until January, 1888. The Hon. the Premier.

No. 8. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Postmastee-General, London. Bik, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 21st May, 1885. I received in due course your telegram of the 18th instant, stating that a decision was urgently required as to the continuance of the San Francisco service, and asking whether you could rely on the present postal arrangements being maintained till January, 1888. I at once addressed the General Post Office again, reminding them of my letter of the 28th January last; and I have just received a reply, to the effect that the Postmaster-General has again brought the question before the Treasury for decision. 1 have accordingly sent you a telegram to that efiect, and copies of the correspondence and telegram are annexed. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. F. D. Bell.