F.—6

50

No. 174. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster - General, Sydney. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 6th June, 1901. I have the honour to inform you that, as from the 18th April last, the steamers of the San Francisco mail-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, but the steamers are timed to arrive at Sydney a day later at 10 a.m. I have, &c., The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. - W. Gray, Secretary.

VANCOUVER SERVICE. -- INTERCOLONIAL SERVICES-SERVICES VIA AUSTRALIA. No. 175. The General Manager for the Colonies, New Zealand Shipping Company, Christchurch, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, Sir,— 22nd August, 1900. Referring to the correspondence relating to ocean mail-services recently laid before Parliament, I have the honour to ask, for the information of the directors of the Canadian-Austra-lian Royal Mail Steamship Company, and of those of the New Zealand Shipping Company, whether the Government are prepared, in conjunction with Canada and Australia, to offer a sufficient subsidy to justify the building of seventeen-knot steamers for a service between Vancouver, New Zealand, and Australia, equal to those built by the Oceanic Company for the San Francisco service. If such encouragement were offered, it might be possible to arrange for a service between Vancouver and Sydney to commence in, say, 1903—the mail-steamers to call at a New Zealand port, and possibly at Fiji. We need hardly point out to the Government the advantage of a service by British-owned steamers, manned by British officers and men, bringing into close and direct connection the great Colonies of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. We have reason to believe that Canada and Australia would look favourably on a scheme which would conduce so largely to the interests of all the colonies and of the Empire at large. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Isaac Gibbs, General Manager.

No. 176. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 16th October, 1900. Be your telegram of the 13th [No. 19]: Under present time-table " Waikare " leaves Wellington Wednesday, 31st October. Will connect with Vancouver mail. Can arrange " Mokoia" leave Wellington Friday, 23rd, to connect Federal mail.

No. 177. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th October, 1900. Seeing that the Vancouver despatch is so important, it would be of great advantage if " Waikare " could be timed to leave Wellington Friday, 2nd November, instead of Wednesday, 31st instant. Unless you can assure despatch of " Mokoia " on morning of Friday, 23rd, would it not be safer to fix her departure for the Thursday? The Federal mail leaves Sydney 27th, and you will recollect that " Monowai " recently missed Vancouver mail, although she had about four days to do the trip. If you can conveniently make the suggested alterations it would be satisfactory both to the public and the department.

No. 178. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 17th October, 1900. " Waikabe " reaches Wellington Wednesday. Would cause through passengers inconvenience to be detained till Friday. Prefer not detain after Thursday. Will this suit ? " Mokoia " cannot be accelerated more than one day as then running. Weekly service is, despatch noon Friday; should reach Sydney early Tuesday. Reason missed Vancouver last occasion was late start from Wellington owing weather and large cargo.