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reverted to, and have issued the necessary instructions, that parcels are to be sent in closed hampers for onward transmission from your office. Wellington in the meantime will be the office of despatch. I have informed the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. The sea-rate has been regarded as not exceeding 2d. per pound, but I shall be glad to hear that it will be Jess. In your reply, would you be good enough to inform me how you would like the accounts rendered. No doubt half-yearly or even yearly intervals would be mutually agreeable. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Deputy Postmaster-General, General Post Office, Sydney.

No. 195. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th March, 1899. Mail-sebvices : Ask Imperial Post Office send by Suez mail-matter posted during thirteen days after departure San Francisco mail. Other correspondence, except specially marked other routes, by succeeding San Francisco mail. Considering fortnightly San Francisco service.

No. 196. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sic,— sth April, 1899. I beg herewith to transmit copy of correspondence relating to the despatch of mails from London to New Zealand vid Vancouver. This correspondence is in continuation of that sent with my letter of the 23rd March last. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Waltee Kennaway, for the Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 196. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — General Post Office, London, 23rd March, 1899. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant [Enclosure 4, in No. 179], announcing that, according to information received from the New Zealand Government, the contract for the mail-service between that colony and Vancouver, which expires on the 31st March, will not be renewed, and that in lieu of the despatches vid Vancouver mails should be sent from this country by the Suez route. This information has been duly noted here, and arrangements are being made to carry out the requisite alteration. The Canadian Pacific Eailway Company have informed this department that the last packet proceeding to New Zealand will leave Vancouver in connection with the despatch from this country announced for the 25th instant, and that despatch will therefore take place as arranged. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H, Buxton Foeman.

Enclosure 2 in No. 196. The Agent-Geneeal, London, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, London. Sic,— •'' 13, Victoria Street, S.W., 24th March, 1899.. I am directed by the Agent-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, in which it is stated that, acting on information received from the Canadian Pacific Bailway Company, the New Zealand mails of this week will be despatched from London vid Vancouver. The Agent-General, however, has received a direct communication (copy herewith) from the liquidator of the Canadian Australian Boyal Mail Steamship Company (by whose vessels the mails have hitherto been conveyed from Vancouver to New Zealand), stating that the company's contract for the mail-service, which expires on the 31st instant, will not be renewed, and that consequently other arrangements must be made for the mails, commencing with that of Saturday, the 25th instant. Under these circumstances the Agent-General considers that the decision of the PostmasterGeneral to send this week's New Zealand mail by the Vancouver route requires reconsideration, with the view of its being despatched with the mails which close this day for the Suez route. I am, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, E.C. Waltee Kennaway.

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