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whom I am guarantor, I think it right to point out to you that the service, as indicated in that circular, does not finally complete the contract, which ends on the 29th November. In order to do so, a mail should leave San Francisco on the 21st November next (from London, sth November); and, as I have always been desirous of carrying out my part of the contract in its integrity, I am prepared to carry the mails on that date from San Francisco by my steamship the " Zealandia," Captain Webber. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Wm. Pearce.

No. 64. The Hon. Mr. Tole to the Agent-General. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th November, 1885. I have duly received your letter of the 5th ultimo, referring to the best days of departure from London and New York of the mails via San Francisco under the new contract, and forwarding copy of a letter from Mr. Pearce concerning the despatch of the mails on the 21st instant from San Francisco. I have since received direct from Mr. Pearce the cablegram of which I enclose a copy, accompanied by copy of the letter that has been sent Mr. Pearce in reply. I have, &c, Sir F. D. Bell, K.C.M.G., Jos. A. Tole, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (For Postmaster-General.)

No. 05. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Sin,- — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Bth October, 1885. I had the satisfaction to receive yesterday your telegram announcing the new contract for the San Francisco service, and beg to offer my respectful congratulations upon it, and especially upon your success in obtaining a contribution from the United States Government. I immediately telegraphed to Mr. Pearce in Scotland; he had, however, left for London; and I may not be able before the mail closes even to send you an indication of what he says in reply to the option given to him by the Union Company. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 06. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-Geneeal. Sim, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 9th October, 1885. In continuation of my letter of yesterday, I have to state that I have to-day received a telegram from Mr. Pearce to the effect that he had cabled yesterday to the colony agreeing to the Union Company working his steamers on commission upon the gross earnings, the subsidy being paid to him. Mr. Pearce has not come to see me on the subject yet. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 07. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 20th October, 1885. I received in due course your telegram of the 12th instant, containing the time-table o the new San Francisco mail service; and immediately communicated the same to the Imperial Post Office, also to the United States Postmaster-General, at Washington, who telegraphed to me an acknowledgment of it. Copies of the telegrams are annexed. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 68. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 31st October, 1885. I received in due course your telegram of 29th instant, directing me to advise the Imperial Post Office that the San Francisco service would be continued under the new contract; which was duly done. I take this opportunity of transmitting herewith copy of a letter from the Post Office acknowledging the receipt of the time-table of the new service. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure in No. 08. The General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. SiX, — General Post Office, London, 29th October, 1885, I duly received your letter of the 13th instant, in which you were good enough to send, for the information of the Postmaster-General, the time-table of the new service recently arranged by