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Enclosure 1 in No. 8. The Agent-Geneeal to the Secbetahy, General Post Office, London. Sic,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 18th May, 1885. Adverting to my letter of the 28th January last, I have to inform you that I received this morning a telegram from the New Zealand Government stating that it had become urgently necessary for them to know, with reference to the continuation of the San Francisco service, whether they might rely on the present postal arrangements being maintained until January, 1888. May I request you to do me the favour of informing me on this point as early as you are able. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 2 in No. 8. Mr. Eea to the Agent-Geneeal, London. Sic, — General Post Office, London, 21st May, 1885. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your further letter of the 18th instant, representing that it has become urgently necessai'y for the New Zealand Government to know, with reference to the continuation of the San Francisco service, whether they may rely on the present postal arrangements being maintained until January, 1888. In reply, Mr. Shaw Lefevre desires me to inform you that he has again brought the question to the notice of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, and will not fail to give you early intimation of their Lordships' decision. I have, &c, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G. Edwaed H. Eea.

No. 9. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 28th May, 1885. In continuation of my letter of the 21st instant, I transmit herewith a copy of a letter I have received from the General Post Office, intimating that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have decided not to disturb the existing postal arrangements until the expiry of the Peninsula and Oriental contract in 1888. I sent you a telegram informing you of this, copy whereof is annexed. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 1 in No. 9. Mr. Eea to the Agent-Geneeal, London. Sic,— General Post Office, London, 23rd May, 1885. With reference to your letter of the 18th instant, and previous correspondence, inquiring, with reference to the continuation of the San Francisco mail service, whether the New Zealand Government may rely on the present postal arrangements being maintained until January, 1888, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acquaint you that he has received a communication from the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, from which it appears there is no intention of disturbing the present arrangement until the expiration, on the 31st of January, 1888, of the existing mail contract between Her Majesty's Government and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. T have, &c, Sir F. D. Bell, K.C.M.G. Edwaed H. Eea.

Enclosure 2 in No. 9. The Agent-Geneeal to the Seceetaky, General Post Office, London. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 26th May, 1885. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, informing me that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have no intention of disturbing the present postal arrangements until the expiration in 1888 of the existing mail contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Company. I beg you to do me the favour of conveying to the Postmaster-General the thanks of the New Zealand Government for this communication, which will enable them to carry out the measures they have in contemplation respecting the San Francisco service. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office. F. D. Bell.

No. 10. Mr. Geay to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Sydney. Sin,— General Post Office, Wellington, 6th August, 1885. Sir Julius Vogel desires me to send you, for the information of the Hon. Mr. Norton, the accompanying particulars and conditions of the renewal by this colony of the San Francisco mail service. I have, &c. S. H. Lanxbton, Esq., Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. W. Gkat.