73

F.—6

No. 246. The High Commissioner to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London S.W., Sir,— 9th November, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt this day of your cablegram reading as follows : " Suez despatch 3rd missed, sent ' Zieten.' " This information was, in accordance with the instructions contained in your letter of the Ist December last [see No. 166, F.-6, 1911], at once conveyed to the General Post Office, London, in order that the necessary publicity might be given of the fact that the mail of the 3rd instant from Wellington had missed the connection in Australia. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, New Zealand. Wm. Hall-Jones. [Suez Conn. 12/I.]

No. 247. The Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir, — Wellington, 9th November, 1911. Confirming my telephone message of this afternoon, I have to advise that information has reached us from our Sydney office that the " Warrimoo," which left here on the 3rd instant at 6.40 p.m., missed the express at Sydney with the English mails ; and the message also intimates that the latter are being forwarded by the " Zieten," due to arrive four days later. I may mention that the working of the " Warrimoo's " cargo at this port was finished, and the vessel was ready for sea at 6.15 p.m.; but, owing to some of the stokehold hands absenting themselves at the sailing-hour, the vessel did not get away until 6.40 p.m. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. W. A. Kennedy, Manager. [Suez Conn. 11/139.]

No. 248. The Secretary, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, 10th November, 1911. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant regarding the inward Suez mail-service. On the 14th June last my Chamber approached the other Chambers of Commerce throughout the Dominion urging the desirableness of arrangements being made for the steamer carrying the inward Suez mail to leave Sydney on Mondays' so as to reach Wellington on Friday morning, as thereby Auckland would receive its mail sooner than at present, while the rest of the Dominion would also receive a distinct advantage from the altered arrangement. I am directed to inquire whether it is possible for the Department to put this proposal into effect. If the scheme is workable, my Chamber feels assured it would effect a very great improvement in the mail-service. In making this representation I am in a position to say that my Chamber has the support of the following Chambers : Blenheim, Wanganui, Woodville, Christchurch, Nelson, Marton, Rotorua, Pahiatua, Timaru, Reef ton, Napier, Dannevirke, Stratford, Hastings, Westport, Tauranga, Oamaru, Hawera, Picton, Eketahuna, while the Auckland, and Thames Chambers extend their support, provided the arrangement does not interfere with the Auckland- Sydney weekly communication. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. H. D. Vickery, Secretary. [Suez Conn. 11/133.] [Acknowledged, 16th November, 1911.]

No. 249. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 14th November, 1911. I have the honour to refer to the claim of your company for £288 9s. 3d., the subsidy for the trip of the s.s. " Warrimoo " from Wellington to Sydney, begun on the 3rd instant. 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 for late arrival in Sydney should not be imposed. In the meantime, payment of the claim for the full amount has been arranged. Any penalty will be levied separately. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited). Dunedin. [Suez Conn. 11/141.]

10—F. 6.