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I enclose copy of the Postmaster-General's telegrams to yourself and the Postmaster-General, Washington, of the 16th ultimo, notifying the passage of the proposals through the House; also a copy of the reply from Washington; and have again to urge that you will bring every influence you can to bear on the authorities at Washington, in order that the eminently reasonable request of the colony for the reduction of the transit charges may be accepted. I have, &c, R. J. Creighton, Esq., W. Geay, Secretary. Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, California.

No. 25. The Hon. the Postmaster-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Washington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, Bth October, 1891. I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of resolutions passed by the House of Representatives on the 15th ultimo in relation to ocean mail-services, including the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service for the next three years. I also enclose copy of my telegram to you of the 16th ultimo, and of your reply of the following day ; and in reference thereto have to say that I am grievously disappointed at what appears to me to be so reasonable a request having been refused. The rates now charged are, as you are aware, 55 cents per pound of letters, and 17 cents per pound of other articles; while the rates which might be levied under the Postal Union Regulations are 2 francs per kilogramme (say, 18 cents per pound) of letters and 25 centimes per kilogramme (say, 2 cents per pound) of other articles. If the extraordinary rates, which are really prohibitory, must be maintained, New Zealand will probably have to rely on some other mail route for the transport of its mails to and from Great Britain. I trust, however, that the mutual desire to maintain the San Francisco service, especially in view of the prospect of its becoming fortnightly, may weigh with you, and that the reduction asked for may yet be made New Zealand. I have, &c, W. Gray, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Washington, U.S.A. For the Postmaster-General.

No. 26. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 10th October, 1891. Impeeial Post Office ask whether transmission Frisco Auckland of mail leaving London 31st October is already provided for.

No. 27. The Hon. the Premise to the Agent-General, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th October, 1891. Frisco Service. —Mail leaving London 31st October already provided for.

No. 28. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. g IBj 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 2nd September, 1891. I received in due course your letter of the Ist July, on the subject of the ocean mail-services, informing me that the Government approved the argument I had addressed to the London Post Office on the 11th May (vide enclosure in No. 104). No decision has yet been given by the Treasury on the question of renewing the service under the existing terms of Imperial contribution; and the death of Mr. Eaikes, Her Majesty's Post-master-General, on the 24th ultimo, is sure to cause a further delay. In the meantime, you will no doubt have received my letter of the 24th July, reporting what the position was at that time, and I cannot say that it has in the least degree improved since. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 29. Mr. Ceeighton to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Dear Sir, S an Francisco, 16th September, 1891. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following cable to-day from Wellington: "Crei»hton, San Francisco. — San Francisco Service. — House approved renewal three years; eleven° shillings letters. Colony defray overland transit Homeward. Condition, London agreement renewal and American transit reduced. Cabled Washington urging free transit Homeward mails, or reduction rates specified Article four, Postal Union Regulations, and antedate beginning of present contract. You strongly appeal. Colonies objected reduction maritime transit not territorial. —Wabd, Postmaster-General." 2—F. 2.