53

F.—2

No. 146. The Sbceetaby, New Zealand Shipping Company, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Christchurch, sth October, 1891. Will the Postmaster-General refer the question of outward mail-contract to the Imperial authorities by cable ? With reference to a contract both out and Home, I am requested to inform you that both shipping companies have received instructions from their London offices not to commit themselves to the terms and conditions of the proposed contract, the remuneration being inadequate.

No. 147. Mr. Geay to the Seceetaey, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th October, 1891. Do I understand that in any contract for conveyance of mails from Plymouth to the colony your company would accept the payment of eleven shillings per pound for the letters, deliver mails in forty-five days, and be liable for penalty of four pounds an hour when late delivery exceeded fortyeight hours ?

No. 148. The Seceetaey, New Zealand Shipping Company, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 6th October, 1891. On receipt of your telegram of 2nd instant, we cabled our London office that the PostmasterGeneral would refer the question of the carriages of outward mails to the Imperial authorities. We are unable to say on what conditions our London office is prepared to carry the outward mails, and we venture to suggest that the matter be left for arrangement in London.

No. 149. Mr. Geay to the Seceetaey, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch. (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th October, 1891. Agent-Geneeal cabled to-day (vide No. 22) to inform London Post Office that while your company not disposed to renew Direct service you were prepared to contract for conveyance of mails from London to colony, a proposal Postmaster-General unable to entertain. Suggest that you cable your Board stating what has been done.

No. 150. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 10th October, 1891. . . . Firstly, New Zealand Shipping Company disowns offer (vide No. 22) made in colony outward mails only. Secondly, New Zealand Shipping Company now offer renew contract for twelve months same terms, except requiring £16,000 subsidy instead mail-money; or, alternative offer, will carry outward mails for twelve months, eleven shillings letters, with minimum payment £8,000, and speed twelve hundred hours [50 days] ; both offers open ten days. Thirdly, alternative offer, speed provides for probable calling Melbourne. . . .

No. 151. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 12th October, 1891. Opfees New Zealand Shipping Company declined. Conditions already advised cannot be varied.

No. 152. Mr. Geay to the Seceetaby, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th October, 1891. Youb London Board, through Agent-General, has offered—(l) Benew contract for twelve months for £16,000 a year, other conditions as at present; or (2) will convey mails from London to colony for twelve months for eleven shillings per pound for letters, with minimum payment of £8,000; time, twelve hundred hours. As both offers beyond limits fixed by House of Eepresentatives, they have been declined.

No. 153. The Acting Seceetaey, New Zealand Shipping Company, to the Seobetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 13th October, 1891, Thanks for information re mail-contract. Mr. Gibbs away South, Will inform him.