2006. What was the result of that?--The contractors were called upon to state whether they can account for this delay; and in reply they state that they are not aware of this delay, but will call upon the agent at Suez for explanation; that the mails being transmitted by land from Alexandria to Suez, there is seldom any variation in the time of their transit, whilst the passengers and baggage, at the period of low Nile (May and June), are frequently retarded in getting the steamers round the bends of the river; and they apprehend that the Admiralty must have been misinformed as to the size of the packages, the weight of which are, by their regulation, limited to under 100 lbs., four of such packages forming a camel load for the desert passage. 2007. Is there any thing further upon that complaint, because the Company seem to doubt the fact?--Nothing further appears upon the subject of the complaint. 2008. Is there any subsequent report from the Company?--No subsequent report from the Company appears to have been received. 2009. Is there any subsequent complaint?--“On the 3rd of October, 1848, another complaint is made: The Indian and Australian Mail Steam Packet Company complain that the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Packet Company do not employ steam vessels of the size required by the contract, between Suez and Calcutta, and between Ceylon and Hong Kong, and offer to do the service at less expense.” 2010. What is the result of that?--“They were acquainted that they had omitted to state in what particulars they considered the contract with this Company is now infringed, that the Admiralty were not aware that any requirements of that contract are not now observed, excepting that the ‘Haddington,’ temporarily employed in the place of another vessel, is 442-horse power instead of 500-horse power.” 2011. Have you any other complaint?--There is no other complaint, but there is another communication from the Indian and Australian Steam Packet Company. They “enter into further explanation and remarks, and hope the contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Packet Companies may be forthwith dissolved.” That is marked as “read.” 2012. With reference to the complaint to which your attention was called the last time you were examined, from Admiral Collier, what is the result of that?--I have here a paper endorsed, “Complaint of irregularities in the performance of the East India and China contract, in the case of the ‘Achilles.’” 2013. Is that the complaint referred to by Admiral Collier?--It is. 2014. Was there a letter or memorial of the merchants of Hong Kong transmitted by Admiral Collier to the Admiralty?--There was.