7

¥.— 6a

Francisco mail-steamer being made two days later than according to present time-table, the new running to begin with " Mariposa " from Sydney, 15th March. I have instructed our Sydney manager accordingly. In reply to your inquiry how we propose to make the connection between Wellington and Onehunga under the altered circumstances, I may say that we propose in future to despatch the "Rotoiti" (or other steamer) from Wellington on Saturday of the mail-week instead of Thursday, as at present, calling at New Plymouth on Sunday, and arriving Onehunga early Monday morning, to connect with San Francisco steamer sailing at noon. Consequent on this change there will be no connection at New Plymouth that week with the Friday's through train from Wellington, an alteration regarding which I am communicating with the Railway Department. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, for Managing Director. W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 18. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 25th March, 1899. Referring to the cessation of the mail-service between Wellington and Vancouver, I have now the honour to advise you that the special coastal connection will not be required after that arranged for the distribution of the mails by the steamer due to arrive here on the Ist proximo. The connection for the outward despatch will cease with that for the mail leaving here on the 30th instant. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 19. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 10th April, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 25th ultimo, advising that, owing to the cessation of the mail-service between Wellington and Vancouver, the special coastal connection would not be required after that arranged for the distribution of the mails that arrived here on the Ist instant. Also that the connection for the outward despatch ceased with that for the mail which left on the 30th ultimo, for which information I have to thank you. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, for Managing Director. W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 20. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 11th April, 1899. I have to invite your attention to the renewal of the coastal service for collecting and distributing the San Francisco mails, and to ask you to inform me on what terms your company is prepared to renew for another year. The outward service has worked well, but the inward running has not been so satisfactory. It will now be necessary that you provide on the Tuesday one of your own steamers for the inward mails. The present arrangement for the inward distribution is unsatisfactory, and has resulted in the " Glenelg " being employed ; and, moreover, the through service to Wellington is not performed whenever a Northern Steamship Company's vessel is made use of. I shall be glad if you will give this your consideration, and favour me with an early reply. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 21. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 26th April, 1899. In reference to your letter of 11th April, asking on what terms we are prepared to renew the coastal services for collection and distribution of the San Francisco mail, I would point out that by the new arrangement of the San Francisco mail-dates our ordinary coastal service cannot be utilised, and we are required to provide a special service for both inward and outward mails, and this throws us completely out of our connection with the train-service to and from New Plymouth during the mail-week, and, in consequence, the bulk of the passenger traffic is lost to us,