F.—6.

26

No. 92. The Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, Sic,— 12th. April, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 4th instant, enclosing contract, in duplicate, for the conveyance of mails between Sydney and Francisco for the year ended 31st March last. These have been duly signed and sealed, and I now have the pleasure to return you one copy as requested. I note that a draft agreement for a further year's extension will be submitted to the company for approval in the course of a week or two. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, for Managing Director. W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 93. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. B. W. Cameeon and Co., New York. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 15th April, 1899. I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of and to thank you for your letter of the 17th ultimo, enclosing copy of one addressed to you by the Postmaster, New York, stating that the homeward New Zealand mails sent vid San Francisco would reach New York in ample time to connect with the steamers of the American or the White Star line on the Wednesday, that it was not probable there would be any need for special arrangements in regard to the transfer of the mails, and that every effort would be made to expedite their despatch and to insure the desired connection. In reply, I have to say that the Postmaster-General is pleased to have this assurance, that there will be no interruption in the present railway-running from San Francisco, and that the Wednesday connection will be made at New York without fail. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. Messrs. E. W. Cameron and Co., 23, South William Street, New York. .

No. 94. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Besident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 15th April, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo, detailing the action taken by you to insure the homeward New Zealand mails making connection at New York with the Wednesday steamer. From the enclosed copy of letter addressed to Messrs. R. W. Cameron and Co. by the Postmaster, New York [see Enclosure in No. 74], it will be seen that there is no apprehension of an interruption to the present railway-running between San Francisco and New York, and that the mails will reach the latter city in ample time to connect with the steamers of the American or the White Star line on Wednesday. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., W. Geay, Secretary. Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 95. The Seceetaey, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington. Sib, — Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch, 19th April, 1899. I have the honour to inform you that at a meeting of the committee of this Chamber it was decided to urge upon the Government the desirability of making Wellington the port of call and departure for the mail-service vid San Francisco. May I ask you to kindly give the matter your favourable consideration ? I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. H. Antill Adley, Secretary.

No. 96. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 25th April, 1899. I have the honour, by the direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, advising that the committee of your Chamber desired