F.—6

10

No. 31. Ihe Chief Postmaster, Auckland, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir,— Chief Post Office, Auckland, 22nd October, 1910. The s.s. " Aorangi " is leaving Auckland for San Francisco to-day, inaugurating the new San Francisco mail-service, and I have to forward you herewith copy of a telegram which 1 have just received from the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. The message is sslfexplanatory, and I think it better to communicate with you direct, rather than through the local manager of the Union Steam Ship Company. You will no doubt be familiar with all the transportation arrangements for mails through the United States of America and across the Atlantic, and will have no difficulty in supplying the information required by Mr. Robertson. I have, &c, F. D. Holdsworth, Chief Postmaster. H. Stepheneon Smith. Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. [Wn.-S.F. 10/180.J

No. 32. The Acting-Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 27th October, 1910. I am in receipt of a telegram from our Auckland manager stating that the Customhouse authorities demand payment of light dues on the " Aorangi." I shall be much obliged if you will see that the Collector is advised the " Aorangi " is free of all dues ; also that the same instruction is given to the Collector and to the Harbour Board here. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, Acting-Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [Wn.-S.F. 10/195.]

No. 33. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Acting-Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th October, 1910. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th instant, in reference to light dues on the steamers performing the San Francisco mail-service, and to say that the steamers are not exempt from the dues. Mr. Holdsworth was aware of this. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Acting-Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited). Wellington. [Wn.-S.F. 10/199.] _^^^__^__^^___

No. 34. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 31st October, 1910. Herewith I have the honour to forward two copies of the contract for the conveyance of mails between Nsw Zealand and San Francisco. I should be obliged if you would at your convenience have both copies sealed and signed and returned to this office. The Postmaster-General will then sign the two copies, one of which will be returned to you for record. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manage]-, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Wn.-S.F. 10/198.] _

No. 35. The Assistant General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the- Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir, — Dunedin, 3rd November, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of 31st ultimo forwarding two copies of the contract for the conveyance of mails between New Zealand and San Francisco. These have both been signed and sealed by the directors at their board meeting to-day, and I return them to you herewith. I would point out, however, that our schedule of freight rates stipulates that the rates on skins, wool, and phormium-fibie should be for this of cargo when dumped. There is no mention of this, however, in the contract. I should be obliged if you would have this corrected. I have, &c, Val. Johnson, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Assistant General Manager. Wn.-S.F. 10/211.]