E.—6b

1901. NEW. ZEALAND.

OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-6, presented on he 5th September, 1901.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

SAN FBANCISCO MAIL-SEEVICE.

No. 1, Mr. Dunnet, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sib,— Wellington, Bth August, 1901. I have the honour, as representing John D. Spreckels, Esq., president of the Oceanic Steamship Company, of San Francisco, to state that he is willing to enter into a five-years contract for the carriage of New Zealand mails from Auckland to San Francisco for the sum of $7,500 (United States gold) per trip : seventeen trips per annum. This is probably about $2,500 more than the present average payments per trip for poundage, but Mr. Spreckels feels that the Oceanic Company is entitled to more under the present conditions, and that, long before the expiration of the five years, the poundage basis—if continued as at present —would, no doubt, reach the sum now asked, per trip. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Geo. Dunnet.

No. 2. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Mr. Dunnet, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, 21st August, 1901. I have the honour, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth instant, advising that Mr. Spreckels was now willing to enter into a fiveyears contract with this Government for the carriage of New Zealand mails by his steamers from Auckland to San Francisco for the sum of $7,500 (United States gold) per trip: seventeen trips per annum. Your letter was submitted for the consideration of Cabinet; and Sir Joseph Ward desires me to say that Government is unable to accept Mr. Spreckels's proposals, but has decided to offer him a subsidy of £12,000 a year for five years for the service in question, subject, however, to ratification by Parliament. The Postmaster-General will be glad if you will at once communicate with Mr. Spreckels, and oblige him with an early and definite reply. I have, &c, Geo. Dunnet, Esq. (representing John D. Spreckels, Esq., W. Gray, Secretary. President, Oceanic Steamship Company, San Francisco), Wellington Club, Wellington.

No. 3. Mr. Dunnet, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sir,— Wellington, 22nd August, 1901. I'have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, written by direction of the Postmaster-General, stating that the Government is unable to accept Mr. Spreckels's proposal for the sum of $7,500 per trip: seventeen trips per annum; and offering a subsidy of £12,000 a year for five years for the service in question.