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The coal supplied was from the hulk which we maintain in Wellington for the storage of the highest grade steam-coal, but it is evident that it was considerably below the standard, as on the return voyage from Sydney, when burning an inferior and cheaper coal and on a heavier draught, the " Aorangi " maintained a speed of 1| knots per hour more than on the outward voyage. We hope that in view of the circumstances as set forth above, you will see your way to authorize payment of the full subsidy for the trip in question. I have, &c, D. A. Aiken, Assistant General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [Suez Conn. 11/76.]

No. 220. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th June, 19.1.1. Huddart-Parker have given notice to detain "Ulimaroa" till 7 to-night. This Department strongly protests against such detention, and must insist that steamer leaves at schedule time, 5 o'clock. Kindly arrange accordingly. [Suez Conn. 11/62.] .

No. 221. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 30th June, 1911. Have received yours, and wired Jones see you without delay.

No. 222. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, General Post Office, Wellington, 30th June, 1911. I have the honour to inform you that Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co. have given notice that the " Ulimaroa " is to be detained until 7 p.m. to-day. I hereby give you notice that any detention beyond 5 p.m. will be regarded as a breach of the contract between the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited) and the PostmasterGeneral for the conveyance of mails between Wellington and Sydney. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Suez Conn. 11/41.] ["' Ulimaroa " arrived Sydney iu time for mails to connect with R.M.S. " Marmora."]

No. 223. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Shi]) Company, Dunedin. Sir, General Post Office, Wellington, 4th July, 191.1. I have the honour to refer to the claim of your company for £288 9s. 3d., subsidy for the trip of the s.s. " Warrimoo " from Wellington to Sydney, begun on the 16th ultimo. The " Warrimoo " failed to connect with the mail-train at Sydney and I shall be glad to have any reason you may wish to advance why the penalty provided in the contract for late arrival in Sydneyshould not be imposed. 1 have, &c, I). Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Suez Conn. 11/51.] _________________

No. 224. The Assistant General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary. General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), $ IK- Dunedin, 4th July, 1911. Referring to the trip of the " Warrimoo," commenced from Wellington on the 16th June, and on which the mail-connection was missed, I beg to enclose, for your information, a report from the master, together with an extract from the vessel's log, from which it will be seen that the cause of the delay was due to a very heavy westerly gale and mountainous sea encountered on the 19th and 20th idem. As you will observe from the master's report, the " Warrimoo " averaged 14-3 knots from the time of leaving Wellington until Monday at noon, and with ordinary weather she should have reached Sydney by 9 or 10 a.m. on Tuesday.