F.—6

20

AUSTRALIA-SUEZ SERVICES.

No. 80. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th October, 1903. What is to be the number of hours for delivery of mails under proposed new contract for Federal service? If not ascertained, can you approximate?

No. 81. The Seceetaey, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 29th October, 1903. Numbee of hours under proposed new ocean-mail contracts cannot be ascertained at present. Probably will approximate to present time via Suez, but may be reduced.

No. 82. The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, Sib,— General Post Office, Sydney, 30th November, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that, in a report which has been made respecting the postal and sea conveying arrangements, it has been pointed out that the New Zealand mails for Europe, vid Suez, invariably arrive here by the steamer from Wellington the day after the despatch of the English mail from this office, and consequently they have to wait six days for the next opportunity. I have, &c, J. Dalgaeno, Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 83. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th December, 1903. Repoeted that you purpose about the end of the year despatching the direct steamers from Wellington to Sydney on Friday instead of Saturday. If this be your intention, shall be glad to learn whether this likely to be permanent, and whether Department will be able to rely on the Friday despatch and due connection with the outward Federal mail leaving Sydney the following Tuesday. _^^^_______^^^__

No. 84. The Geneeal Manages, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 7th December, 1903. " Monowai," sailing 18 December, will be the only Friday departure in December. We had hoped arrange Friday sailing from Wellington during summer months, but on account of large number of outside steamers calling Hobart, causing scarcity of labour and berthing-accommodation, could not insure prompt despatch thence, and have been obliged to abandon proposal for meantime.

No. 85. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, lOtn December, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, pointing out that the New Zealand mails for Europe, vid Suez, invariably arrive at Sydney by steamer from Wellington the day after the despatch of the English mail from your office, and consequently have to wait six days for the next opportunity. I have to thank you for bringing the matter under notice. The late arrival is due to the sailing-dates of the steamers of the Union Steam Ship Company, which, unfortunately, this