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Mr. R. B. Ross, M.P., Woodville, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General. (Minute.) For your favourable consideration. R. B. Ross. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. [Acknowledged, 19th August, 1911.]

No. 228. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 12th July, 1911. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, on the subject of the detention of the Sydney steamer on the 30th ultimo. As the " Ulimaroa " succeeded in making the connection, it is not desired to take further notice of the failure to sail at the proper hour. I trust, however, that contract steamers will not again be detained without the special permission of this office. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Suez Conn. 11/63.] ________________

No. 229. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 14th July, 1911. I have the honour to inform you that, owing to the late arrival of the Main Trunk train this afternoon, it is likely that the Post Office will be unable to ship the mails on board the " Moana " by 5 o'clock, and to request, if that prove correct, that you will be good enough to hold the steamer for shipment of the mails. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington. [Suez Conn. 11/59.] __________________

No. 230. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 20th July, 1911. In reference to the letter of the 4th instant from the Assistant General Manager of your company respecting the failure of the s.s. " Warrimoo " to make a connection with the Suez mail at Sydney on the 20th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that, as the delay appears to have been beyond the control of your company, the Acting Postmaster-General has directed that the penalty provided in the contract for late arrival in Sydney be not imposed. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Suez Conn. 11/73.]

No. 231. Mr. Alex. Myers, Birmingham, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — Birmingham, 25th July, 1911. 1 should like to draw your attention to the disgraceful manner in which New Zealand mails are delivered to this'country. Although they are supposed to reach, here every Monday, it is a most unusual thing for them not to be two to four days late, and it is rather the exception than the rule for them to be here in time, although Australian mails arrive every Monday. This is a very serious question for those having business relations with New-Zealanders, as well as for New-Zealanders themselves ; and is a matter, I think, that requires looking into. I have, &c, Alex. Myers. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Bart., P.C., Wellington, New Zealand. [P.O. 11/3475(2).] , ______________^

No. 232. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 27th July, 1911. I have the honour to refer to the letter of the 29th ultimo, from the Assistant General Manager of your company, respecting the late arrival of the s.s. " Aorangi " at Sydney on the 23rd May last.