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No. 17. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen,— General Post Office, Wellington, sth February, 1904. I have the honour to forward herewith two copies of the memorandum of agreement [No. 24] for the renewal of the San Francisco mail-service for three years from the 10th November last, and to ask whether, in your opinion, Sir Joseph Ward may execute the instrument for his part. If you are unable to say, perhaps you will be so good as to send the copies forward to San Francisco for the approval of the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.

No. 18. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen,— General Post Office, Wellington, 23rd February, 1904. Referring to your letter of the 9th instant [not printed], stating that you were of opinion that the San Francisco mail-service agreement might be signed by the Postmaster-General, I have now the honour to forward herewith two copies of the agreement duly completed by Sir Joseph Ward. I shall be glad if you will have the copies forwarded by first mail to San Francisco for execution by the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company, and one copy afterwards returned to this office. • I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Geay, Secretary.

No. 19. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peime Ministee. (Telegram.) London, 29th February, 1904. Anglo-Austealian Company refuse to call at Fanning Island after 16th April. Chairman and Manager Cable Board ask New- Zealand Government use good offices get them to continue to do so till the end of May, so as to give time to make other arrangements.

No. 20. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal, Wellington, to the J. D. Speeckels and Bbos. Company, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd March, 1904. Undeestand you cease calling Fanning Island after sixteenth April. Beg you continue call up to end of May, enable Pacific Cable Board make other arrangements.

No. 21. The Hon. the Peime Ministee to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd March, 1904. Have cabled Spreckels urge call Fanning Island till end of May.

No. 22. The J. D. Speeckels and Beos. Company, San Francisco, to the Hon. the PostmasteeGeneeal, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, 3rd March, 1904. " Ventuea," leaving Sydney May sixteenth, last call Fanning.

No. 23. The Hon. the Peime Ministee to the Agent-Genebal. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth March, 1904. Speeckels advises " Ventura," leaving Sydney May sixteenth, last call Fanning. [See No. 76.]