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detention was caused off Cape Flattery by dense fog. The " Makura," due at Vancouver on Tuesday, 22nd July, arrived at 6 p.m. on Wednesday; she also was delayed at Suva by quarantine requirements, and was detained some six hours off Cape Flattery by fog. The " Niagara " last week, as you know, left Auckland late owing to the washout on the Main Trunk line, but notwithstanding this we gather from cable advice from Suva that she was off that port at noon on Tuesday, but was delayed by fog until daylight Wednesday, so it is quite probable that she may not reach Vancouver until Wednesday. These, of course, are detentions that might upset any time-table, but, given a relaxation of the quarantine restrictions at Suva and normal weather-conditions, we anticipate being able to avoid any cause for further question about their arrivals at Vancouver. I have, &c, R. MoK. McLennan, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For General Manager.

No. 71. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington, to the Deputy Postmas ter-General, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th November, 1913. Not apprehended postponed departure Auckland will shorten interval between arrival at and departure from Vancouver. Union Company guaranteed steamers would arrive Vancouver Tuesday. States failures due to unusual conditions.

No. 72. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 6th November, 1913. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your cable message of the 25th ultimo and to confirm my reply of to-day respecting the alteration of the starting-time from Auckland of the Auckland-Vancouver mail-service from 3 p.m. on Friday to 10 a.m. on Saturday, up to March, 1914. As I have said in the reply, it is not apprehended that the interval between the arrival of the steamer at and its departure from Vancouver will be shortened in ordinary circumstances. The Union Steam Ship Company guaranteed that if the alteration in the starting-time were made the steamers would arrive at Vancouver on the due day—viz., Tuesday. The company states that on each occasion on which the vessels have not done so the failure has been due to unusual conditions. The "Makura," which was due at Vancouver on Tuesday, the 22nd July, and arrived at 6 p.m. on the 23rd, was delayed at Suva owing to quarantine regulations, and further delayed off Cape Flattery by fog. The '-' Marama," which was due on Tuesday, the 16th September, and arrived at daylight on the 18th idem, was also delayed at Suva and off Cape Flattery frosn the same causes. The departure of the " Niagara," which left Auckland on Saturday, the 25th ultimo, was delayed by a washout on the railway. Notwithstanding this she was off Suva at noon on the 28th idem, but was delayed by fog until daylight next day, so that it is probable she will not reach Vancouver until Wednesday, the 12th instant. • Given a relaxation of the quarantine regulations at Suva and normal weather-conditions, it is not anticipated that there will be caiise for complaint in future regarding late arrivals of the contract vessels at Vancouver. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. W. R. Morris, Secretary.

No. 73. The Deputy Postmaster-General. Ottawa, to the Secretaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, Ont., 7th November, 1913. If assurance Union Steam Ship Company to arrive Vancouver lived up to this Department will agree Saturday sailing from Auckland.

No. 74. The Assistant Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 10th November, 1913. In reference to your letter of the 31st ultimo, respecting the agreement that the startingtime of the Vancouver mail-steamer from Auckland be altered to 10 a.m. on Saturdays until the end of March next, I have the honour to inform you that the Canadian Post Office approves of the arrangement conditionally on your company adhering to the undertaking that the vessel will arrive at Vancouver on the Tuesday. I have, &c, F. V. Waters, Assistant Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Acknowledged 14th November, 1913.]