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I.—lob

San Francisco Service (Outward). Showing results of accelerated service, steamers to arrive at San Francisco present day and hour (Wednesday, 6 p.m.); Auckland, port of departure.

Stoppages : Apia, 4 hours; Honolulu, 12 hours. The same as foregoing, substituting Wellington as port of departure.

Stoppages : Apia, 4 hours ; Honolulu, 12 hours.

Vancouver Service (Inward). Present departure from Victoria every fourth Friday, 6 a.m.

Distance between Vancouver and Wellington, 6,660 miles. Time allowed under present arrangement, 21-J- days = 516 hours. Present stoppages : Honolulu, 12 hours ; Suva, 10 hours.

Vancouver Service (Outward). Steamers to arrive at Vancouver same day and hour as at present (Thursday, 8 a.m.).

Present stoppages : Suva, 10 hours; Honolulu, 12 hours. General Post Office, 6th October, 1898. W. Gray.

Dear Sir, — General Assembly Library, 14th October, 1898. Be Frisco Service. —l have seen Mr. Duthie since my conversation with you, and he has asked for the following information: What knot-service and the days of arrival and departure of vessels to enable not only Wellington and Auckland but Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill to reply by the outgoing mail. Yours, &c, Eobert McNab. The Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington.

Sir,— 17th October, 1898. Eeplying to your letter of the 14th instant, I have the honour to state that with a 15-knot service between Auckland and San Francisco (present day of departure from San Francisco to be maintained) it would be possible for the inward mails to arrive at Dunedin on Wednesday night, and with a 15-knot service in the opposite direction (timed to arrive at San Francisco as at present) the outward mail would not require to leave Dunedin until Friday at 11 a.m. A 15-knot service would, therefore, give one clear day for replies at Dunedin, two days at Christchurch, three days at Wellington, and a~week at Auckland. Invercargill would have about six hours for replies, assum-

Steamer could leave if Speed increased to Present time of Leaving. 15 Knots. 16 Knots. Auckland Wellington Christchurch Dunedin .. Saturday, 2 p.m. .. Friday, 6 a.m. (by train) .. Wednesday, 9 p.m. .. .. Wednesday, 11 a.m. .. .. Monday, 11 a.m. .. .. Tuesday, noon. .. Saturday, 4 p.m. (by steamer) Sunday, 4 p.m. (by steamer). .. Friday, 9 p.m. . .. Saturday, 9 p.m. .. Friday, 11 a.m.* .. .. Saturday, 11 a.m.* * Through time Dunedin to Auckland calculated as depending on ordinary train connection, Dunedin to Christchurch.

Leave Speed, 13-47 Knots to Wellington. At 15 Knots. At 16 Knots. Wellington Auckland Christchurch Dunedin .. Friday, 5 p.m. .. Thursday, 11 a.m. .. Thursday, 9 p.m. .. Thursday, 11 a.m. .. Sunday, 4 p.m. .. Saturday, 10 a.m. .. Saturday, 9 p.m. .. Saturday, 11 a.m. .. Monday, 6 p.m. .. Sunday, noon. .. Saturday, 9 p.m.* .. Saturday, 11 a.m.* * As there is no train from Dunedin on Sunday, it is here assumed steamer would leave Lyttelton on Saturday night on arrival southern express.

Mails due at Speed, 13-32 Knots to Wellington. At 15 Knots to Wellington. At 16 Knots to Wellington'. Wellington Auckland 'Christohurch Dunedin .. Saturday, 2 p.m. .. Sunday, 8 p.m. .. Sunday, 6 a.m. .. Sunday, 6 p.m.* .. Thursday, noon .. Friday 6 p.m. .. Friday, 4 a.m. .. Friday, 9 p.m. .. Wednesday, 8 a.m. .. Thursday, 2 p.m. .. Wednesday, midnight. .. Thursday, noon.* * Special train.

Present Time of Leaving. Steamer could leave if Speed Speed, 13-48 Knots per Hour, Wellington to Vancouver. 15 Knots. 16 Knots. Wellington Auckland christchurch Dunedin .. Thursday, 4 p.m. .. Tuesday, 10 a.m.* .. Wednesday, 9 p.m. .. .. Wednesday, 11 a.m. .. .. Saturday, 6 p.m. .. Friday, noon .. Friday, 9 p.m. .. Friday, 11 a.m. .. Sunday, 10 p.m. .. Saturday, 4 p.m. .. Saturday, 9 p.m. .. Saturday, 11 a.m. * From 1st December next.