F—6

50

INTEEPfIOVINCIAL SEBVICE.

No. 158. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th September, 1901. In connection with railway running daily through service between Wellington and New Plymouth from Ist November, do you and Northern Company intend to provide a daily service by steamer between New Plymouth and Onehunga?

No. 159. The General Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 20th September, 1901. We are inclined to think trade does not warrant daily service New Plymouth-Onehunga; but have arranged discuss matter with Eanson, Wellington, next week.

No. 160. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, (Limited), S IE) — Dunedin, 4th October, 1901. The General Manager of New Zealand Eailways has advised us that the Government intend running through daily trains between Wellington and New Plymouth from Ist November, and has approached the Northern Steamship Company and ourselves as to providing a daily connection between New Plymouth and Onehunga. We are replying that we think our present sailings are ample for the trade, but that we are willing to give the daily service a trial of two or three months. I enclose draft of proposed time-table. You will note that if the present dates in connection with the arrival and departure of the San Francisco mail at Auckland are maintained the outward mail would require to be shipped from New Plymouth on Fridays, and also that the running of the steamers will make it necessary that a regular sailing-hour shall be maintained from Onehunga for the south, which would probably be 4 p.m. If the San Francisco mail arrived in Auckland, at, say, 9 a.m. it would not be possible to ship it before 4 o'clock; but we would undertake to keep the steamers as late as possible in the afternoon, provided time was allowed to catch the express at New Plymouth. We have advised the General Manager of Eailways that we shall require your consent to these proposals as a condition of providing a daily connection, and shall be glad to have your views. I have, &c, C. Holdsworth, General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 161. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, sth November, 1901. Glad if you would let me have reply to my letter of 4th October, re connection WellingtonNew Plymouth service, in view of getting December time-table out.

No. 162. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th November, 1901. Be your letter 4th ultimo, Wellington-New Plymouth time-table : I am waiting to hear definitely from Spreckels whether he accepts resolutions of House of Eepresentatives re renewal Frisco service. As you may have gathered from me, the departure from Auckland may possibly be changed from Saturday to Friday. Hope to be able to wire this week.