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No. 169. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 27th May, 1901. Sydney office advise that they understand " Mariposa " is to take " Sonoma's " sailing from Frisco 29th instant. Have you confirmation of this ? Anxious to know, as will affect our sailings from Onehunga about time special coastal arrangements are being made in connection with Royal visit.

No. 170. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 27th May, 1901. Yes. Have been advised by Henderson, Macfarlane that " Mariposa " replaces " Sonoma," leaving San Francisco 10 a.m. 30th instant. Hereafter vessels leave San Francisco 10 o'clock Thursday morning, instead of Wednesday night.

No. 171. The Mail-agent, R.M.S. " Sierra," to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Extract.) Auckland, 27th May, 1901. The s.s. " Sierra," which left Auckland on the 13th ultimo at 3.50 p.m., reached Pago Pago on the 16th, and Honolulu on the 23rd at 4 p.m., where there was a detention owing to steamer having had to leave Auckland short of coal. Left Honolulu on the 24th at 9.27 a.m., and received pilot off Golden Gate on the 29th at 6.40 a.m., steamer being berthed by 10 a.m. The 10 a.m. train for the east was detained for some time to enable our mails to connect, and the Cunard Company promised to keep the "Campania" at New York until 4p.m. on Saturday following. Under ordinary circumstances this would probably have resulted in our mails making a close connection. Unfortunately, the train carrying mails east came into collision with a special in the Sierra Nevada, and the delay prevented connection being effected with "Campania." Mails eventually left New York for Southampton by the " St. Paul " on Wednesday, four days late. The inward mails arrived at San Francisco in time. I have again to report that a bag of letters from London for New Zealand has been left behind somewhere in the United States. The " Sierra " was detained for an hour to enable us to endeavour to find the missing bag, but as it could not be located steamer proceeded to sea at 11 a.m. on Thursday, 9th instant. The missing packet evidently contains ordinary letters, as the registered advised by London have all been received. Mr. Stephenson Smith is now in the eastern States, and will no doubt inquire into recent delays.

No. 172. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 4th June, 1901. I have the honour to inform you that, as from the 18th April last, the steamers of the San Francisco-Auckland service will leave San Francisco one day later than the former time-table dates—namely, on the Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, instead of Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock. There will be no change in the, day of arrival at Auckland. I have, &c, J. G. Ward, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. [Letter in similar terms to the Secretary, General Post Office, London.]

No. 173. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. (Memorandum.) Premier's Office, Wellington, 4th June, 1901. In reference to your memorandum of the 26th April, I have to express regret for the delays in the delivery of the San Francisco mails in London, on which you animadvert. My letter of the Bth ultimo discusses this matter in full, and I think it is not necessary, therefore, to say more here, except to mention that, as each steamer is to be overhauled as it reaches San Francisco, it may be hoped that in a couple of months the irregularities in the running will cease. Owing to the exceedingly long interval between the time-table date and the actual date of departure of the " Sonoma" from Sydney —a period of no less than nine days—and the further fact that the vessel lost two days on the Pacific, the " Mariposa " is again being pressed into the running. You are probably aware that it is the intention of Mr. Spreckels to refit the " Alameda" and " Mariposa," I assume for further service on the Pacific ; but pending that action these vessels cannot be regarded as so speedy as the ships which have just displaced them. As before, therefore, it is the intention to despatch the " Mariposa " from Auckland on the 4th July, instead of the 6th, the time-table date, in order that the time-table dates at the other points of transit may be kent to. J. G. Ward, for the Premier The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

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