F.—6

20

f may mention that in our experience in working Rarotonga it has been very seldom that the steamers have been unable to work thj anchorage, though sometimes the work has proceeded rather slowly on account of the swell rolling in. 1 have, &c, K. McK. McLennan, The Secretary, General Post Othee. Wellington For General Manager. ■Wn.- S.F. 11/ l.] «____^____________

No. 53. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. SIR, General Post Office, Wellington, 31st December, 1910. In reference to your letter of the 22nd instant inquiring how long the San Francisco mail-steamers may remain at Rarotonga on the south trip in the event of the weather bsing unfavourable for cargo working, 1 have the honour to inform you that this Department does not wish to interfere with the arrangements for shipping oargo ai Rarotonga, so long as the contract time between termini is nol exceeded. The contract does nol provide for the length of stoppage at Rarotonga, but only for the conveyance of the mails from Auckland to San Franoisoo within 492 hours " and from San Franoisoo to Wellington " within 505 hours.'' T have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of Now Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. tWn.-S.F. 11/3.] '

No. 54. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, General I'ost Office, Wellington, ith January, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipi of your letter of the 22nd ultimo, in reference in the transit acrose America of mails for the United Kingdom despatched via San Francisco The " Maitai arrived at San Francisco on the Bth ultimo at midnight, seven hours ahead of the contract time; bul the mails missed the overland express train, and, owing to railwaj obstruction between Chicago and New Fork, did not connect with the Cunard liner which left Xeu York on the 14th, and consequently did nol reach London until the 23rd ultimo, four day* late. The I iii ;i States Post Office has been requested to take up the matter of the hitch between Chicago and New York with the railroad companies, with the view of securing unbroken transit of New Zealand mails from San Francisco to New York. 1 have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited). Dunedin. rwn.-s.F. 10/801.] i _ i _ ii _ i ____

No. 55. The Hon. the Postmastbk-Genbral, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Washington. (Telegram.) Wellington, sth January, 1911. ( ustmiis Immigrations Quarantine Departments San Francisco to visit New Zealand vessels after .--unset, resulting in serious delays transferring mails to overlain' trains. Obli if you could induce Departments to allow mails to be landed any hour of night, as was done when old service current. [Wn.-S.F. 11/9.1 -^ —^— —

No. 56. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington, to Resident Agent for New Zealand. San Francisco. .(Telegram.) Wellington, sth January, 1911. Expenditure transferring mails to tugs quarantine-ground authorized. You report mails ex " Aorangi " November eleventh left San Francisco 6 p.m. Friday, arrived New York Tuesday sixteenth 9.30 a.m. Later you say ;i Afaitai's " mails left San Franoisoo Friday fi p.m. not due New York until Wednesday morning. Reply stating position.

[Wn.-S.F. 11/8.1 ——_—___—_^____- No. 57. The Resident Agent fob New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Ofr><\ Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco. sth January, 1911. Tug arranged. Trains from San Francisco Friday at 10.40 a.m. due New York Tuesday 9.30 a.m., and at 6 p.m. due Wednesday 8 a.m [Wn.-S.F. 11/11.1