49

F.—2

No. 125. Mr. Geav to the Managing Dibectoe, Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th May, in which you protest against the deduction (in case the American Government will not bear the charge) of £1,922 per annum from the subsidy, as the half-cost of the transit of the Homeward mails across the United States; also against being required to carry mail-matter by the San Francisco service for nothing, and ask that no penalty be inflicted for the late arrival of the "Monowai" at Auckland in March last; and, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to say, in respect of the two first matters, that your representations will be considered when the three years' renewal of the service is brought up for consideration. The Postmaster-General, you will be pleased to learn, has agreed to waive all penalties in connection with the " Monowai's " late arrival in March. I am, &c,' The Managing Director, W. Geay, Secretary. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 126. Mr. Whitson to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, Sib,— 17th July, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the Ist instant, advising that our protest against the deduction of the half-cost of the transit of Homeward mails across the United States will be considered at the same time as the proposal for the three years' renewal of the service. The directors instruct me to ask you to convey their thanks to the Postmaster-General for waiving the penalties in connection with the detention of the " Monowai " through a breakdown of her machinery. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Managing Director.

DIRECT MAIL-SEBVICE. No. 127. Mr. Gbay to the Secbetaby, New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch. Sm,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th May, 1891. I have the honour to inform you, by direction of the Postmaster-General, that the Government proposes to ask the House of representatives to renew with your company the contract for the Direct steam mail-service for a period of three years from the expiry of the present temporary contract. Should your directors desire to make any representations in the matter the PostmasterGeneral will be obliged if they will communicate them to him as early as possible. I have, &c, W. Gbay, Secretary. The Secretary, New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch.

No. 128. Mr. Gibbs to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sm,— 9th June, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 28th May, which was laid before the Board of directors of this company at its meeting to-day, and lam instructed to say that we are in cable-communication with our London office regarding the proposal of the Hon. the Postmaster-General to extend the existing mail-contract for a further period of three years, and will write you immediately we receive a reply. I have, &c, Isaac Gibbs, Secretary. The Secretary, Post Office and Telegraph Department, Wellington.

No. 129. Mr. Gibbs to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, g IE) 15th June, 1891. Eeferring to your letter of the 28th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that cable messages have been received by this company, and by the representatives of Shaw-Savill and Albion 7—F. 2.