.F.--6.

Section 7. That the Secretary of the Treasury shall fix the times and manner of payments, prescribe the vouchers, with form's of accounts and verifications, upon which payments_ shall be made, and shall adopt whatever regulations may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

No. 63. Mr. Geay to Mr. B. J. Ceeighton, San Francisco. g IE _ General Post Office, Wellington, sth June, 1890. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd ultimo in reply to mine of the 18th March last, and also commenting on the departure of the " Mariposa " from San Francisco on her proper day, and forwarding a copy of the Tonnage Bill introduced into the United States House of Bepresentatives, which has for its object the subsidising of American shipping. The provisions of the Bill, so far as they are likely to affect the San Brancisco service, have been communicated to the Government of New South Wales, and Sir Henry Parkes asked whether his Government would agree to join the Government of this colony in a temporary renewal of the contract on existing conditions for another twelve months. I have, &c, B. J. Creighton, Esq., W. Geay, Secretary. Besident Agent for New Zealand, San Brancisco.

No. 64. Mr. Lambton to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. y IR _. General Post Office, Sydney, 31st May, 1890. Beferring to your letter of the 6th instant, enclosing a letter from Mr. Creighton, further respecting the despatch of the outward mails by slow Atlantic steamers, I am directed to state that the Agent-General for this colony has been requested to co-operate with your Agent-General in again impressing upon the London Post Office the necessity for sending the mails to New York by the swiftest steamers. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. S. 11. Lambton, Secretary.

No. 65. The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson to the Hon. Sir Heney Paekes, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 28th May, 1890. Fe'isco Service.—A Bill is now before House of Bepresentatives, Washington, which provides for a subsidy of thirty-four thousand pounds for a four-weekly service, and sixty-eight thousand pounds for a fortnightly one. We are of opinion that present contract should be extended for another year so as to see if Bill passes, and if anything is to come out of the Canadian service. Will your Government join in a renewal for twelve months present conditions?

No. 66. The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson to the Hon. the Peemiee, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th June, 1890. Will youkindly reply my telegram re continuing San Francisco service for another year, pending result of Subsidy Bill"now before Congress?

No. 67. The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson to the Hon. the Peemiee, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th June, 1890. Will you kindly reply to my telegrams re extension Frisco contract, as I am anxious to lay proposals before Parliament, which meets to-morrow ?

No. 68. The Hon. Sir Haeey Paekes to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. (Teleo-ram.) Sydney, 19th June, 1890. This Government has decided not to subsidise any service via Frisco after November. At Adelaide Conference resolution was passed, which will reach you in due course, to effect that, in event of you arranging future service, other colonies pay usual poundage-rates one way, that is, on mails despatched. As you are aware, notice has been given to terminate existing conventions with United States, with view to make fresh ones, providing, in accordance Union principle, for despatching country paying all charges to destination.

No. 69. The Hon. B. Mitchelson to Mr. Ceeighton, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st June, 1890. Sydney declines absolutely r*new Frisco service, even for twelve months. This Government therefore decided that, unless United States prepared to grant substantial subsidy, and that our share of cost reduced to a minimum, will reluctantly recommend House not to renew. Beply before end this month.

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