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I have the honour, by direction of the council, to submit these suggestions for the favourable consideration of the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. S. Cabeoll, Secretary.

No. 79. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th March, 1899. ; . I have the honour, by direction, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, referring to the cessation of the Vancouver mail-service, and suggesting that a fortnightly service via San Francisco should be arranged, with Auckland and Wellington as alternate ports of call; and also that the steamers should call at Fiji instead of Samoa. In reply, lam to inform you that the letter will be considered by the Postmaster-General. I am, however, to point out that, were the suggestion adopted to make the detour to Fiji, the voyage would be lengthened by about twenty hours, which, in view of the great wish to shorten the journey, would not be desirable. I have, &c, The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. W. Geay, Secretary.

No. 80. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th March, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th ultimo [see No. 43], covering copy of a letter from Messrs. E. W. Cameron and Co., intimating that the New York postal authorities were not yet able to say whether New Zealand mails reaching San Francisco on a Friday could catch the American line steamer leaving New York on the following Wednesday; and also confirming telegrams which have passed between us on the subject. I have, &c, W. C. Walkee, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No 81. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 29th March, 1899. [First part of letter on Vancouver service : see No. 184.] There is a general impression that a fortnightly mail-service by way of San Francisco is best suited to the mail requirements of this colony, and the withdrawal of the Vancouver service renders it now probable that the question will be considered by Parliament. In view of such action, I should be glad if you would bring the matter under the notice of the London Post Office, with the object of ascertaining what support would be given to a fortnightly service. As full information will be required by the time Parliament meets, you will, no doubt, press for an early reply. In the meantime the Suez service will be utilised as far as may be found desirable. I have, &c, The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. R. J. Seddon.

No. 82. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th March, 1899. Youes 25th just received. Alteration two days' sailing-time San Francisco steamers not understood alter hour departure Sydney. We did not move in the matter changing hour.

No. 83. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. General Post Office, Wellington, 29th March, 1899. Sic, — Vancouver Mail-service. I have the honour to confirm my telegram of the 20th instant [see No. 176]. The cessation of the Vancouver mail-service now makes it probable that Parliament will take an early opportunity of considering the desirability of establishing a fortnightly mail by way of San Francisco. Inquiries are being made in the matter, and you will be kept informed of the progress of the negotiations. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., W. Geay, Secretary. Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.