15

P.—6

12. The mails shall be safely conveyed from Auckland to San Francisco within four hundred and ninety-two hours, and from San Francisco to Wellington within five hundred and five hours, this time to be calculated from the time appointed for the departure of the mail. In case of the loss of any mails after delivery to vessel at Wellington or Auckland, the Company shall, with all possible despatch, at its own cost, do all such acts and take all such measures as may be reasonably expected to be done and taken to recover the mail* so lost. And the Company shall be liable for all damage or injury to mails, from whatsoever cause that may arise or happen, excepting fire, the act of God. perils of the seas, or enemies of the flag. 13. For each round voyage performed under this contract the Postmaster-General will pay to the Company the sum of one thousand six hundred and sixty-six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence. 14. Subject to the provisions of the Universal Postal Union Convention of Rome (1906), the Postmaster-General shall apply to the proper authority of any countries whose mails may be carried by steamers employed in the service under this contract for payment of sea-transit rates therefor as fixed by the said Convention, and on payment being received from any such authority the Postmaster-General shall pay over to the Company the amount thereof: Provided always that the Postmaster-Gensral shall not incur any responsibility whatever for the due payment of any such rates or of any rates whatever, and shall not be bound under this clause to take any steps or make any claim other than at his sole and absolute discretion he shall deem advisable. 15. In respect of each voyage the Company shall pay to the Postmaster-General as liquidated damages, and not as a penalty, the sum of four pounds for every hour in excess of the number of hours prescribed in clause twelve as the maximum number to be occupied in conveying the mails unless such excess of time is caused by any event beyond the Company's control; and all such sums may be deducted by the Postmaster-General from any payments due to the Company under this contract: Provided that no sum shall be payable by the Company under this clause in respect of any specified voyage unless the period of actual delivery of the mails at San Francisco or Wellington exceeds the time of delivery provided by this contract by forty-eight hours; and provided also that the Postmaster-General may remit any payment which in his opinion should not be enforced. 16. The sums stipulated to be payable to the Company under this contract shall be in full satisfaction for all services rendered thereunder, and the amount payable in respect of each round voyage shall be payable to the Company at the Treasury in Wellington, or at the Company's office at Dunedin, immediately after the completion of the round voyage. 17. During the continuance of this contract, and so long as the same shall be faithfully carried out by the Company, no charge for harbour dues, dock dues, or other rates shall be made or levied under the Harbours Act, 1908, or any amendment thereof, or under any special Act in that behalf, at the Ports of Wellington or Auckland, for any of the steam-vessels employed in the services under this contract, and all such vessels shall be exempt therefrom accordingly. 18. The Company shall at its own cost provide, to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General, on board all vessels employed in the services under this contract, proper, safe, and convenient places of deposit for the mails, with locks, keys, and secure fastenings; and every such place of deposit shall be rendered and kept vermin-proof. 19. The Company shall also at its own cost provide, to the satisfaction of the PostmasterGeneral, all necessary and suitable accommodation, including lights, for the purpose of sorting and making up the mails on board the several vessels employed in the services under this contract, and, on being required to do so by the Postmaster-General, shall at its own cost erect or set apart in each of the said vessels on the main deck a separate and convenient room for such purposes; and all such furniture, lamps, fittings, and other conveniences shall be from time to time cleansed and kept in repair, and the oil for the lamps supplied by the servants of and at the cost of the Company. The master or commander of each of the said vessels shall also, if required, provide assistance for conveying the mails between the mail-room and the snrting-room, and also render such other assistance as may from time to time be needed, without charge. 20. If the Postmaster-General shall think fit to intrust the charge and custody of the mails to the master or commander of any vessel to be employed in the services under this contract, and in all cases where the officer or other person appointed to have charge of the mails shall be absent to the knowledge of the master or commander of such vessel, such master or commander shall, without any charge, taks due care of, and the Company shall be responsible for the receipt, safe custody, and delivery of, the said mails at the several appointed places in the respective ports as part of the services hereby contracted to be rendered. The master or commander shall also make the usual Post Office declaration, and furnish such journal, returns, and other information, and perform such other services in relation to the care and delivery of such mails, as the Post-master-General or his officers shall from time to time reasonably require. 21. The Company and all commanding and other officers in charge of the vessels employed under this contract shall at all times punctually attend to the orders and directions of the Post-master-General or his officers or agents as to the mode, time, and place of landing, transhipping, delivering, and receiving the mails, subject to the special provisions herein contained, and so far as such orders and directions are reasonable, and consistent with the safety of the vessels. 22. The Company shall at its own cost provide suitable first-class accommodation, including a cabin or state-room for the exclusive use of a mail officer or agent for the Postmaster-General and for one assistant, or, if need be, two assistants, for such Postmaster-General on board each of the vessels employed under this contract, who shall be at liberty to use such accommodation as may be required for the performance of their duties: and all such officers, agents, and assistant*