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AUSTBALIA-SUEZ SEEVICE. WELLINGTON-SYDNEY CONNECTION, ETC. No. 99. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 11th April, 1913. I have the honour to refer to the late arrival at Sydney of the s.s. " Warrimoo " on the voyage commenced at Wellington on the 4th instant, and shall be glad of any reason you may wish to offer why the penalty for late arrival should not be enforced. I have, &c, W. R. Morris, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Dunedin. [Suez Conn. 13/68.]

No. 100. The Assistant General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 21st April, 1913. Referring to the failure of the s.s. " Warrimoo " to make the mail-connection on the voyage from Wellington to Sydney leaving former port on the 4th instant, I have the honour to enclose for information an extract from the vessel's log, signed by the commander. On arrival of the vessel at Dunedin on Saturday full inquiry in regard to the defects in the propelling machinery, which delayed the vessel, also with reference to the inferior quality of bunker coal, was made by our acting superintending engineer, Mr. J. Smith, whose report I beg to enclose herewith [not printed]. With a view of preventing any recurrence of the delay experienced on the voyage in question, it has been decided to withdraw the " Warrimoo " from commission on the vessel's return to Dunedin from Melbourne on the 6th May, and she will then be fitted with four new furnaces, which our superintending engineer reports will have the effect of overcoming the troubles experienced on the passage under review. The coal in question was purchased by us through the ordinary channels, and was understood to ~he of usual good quality, but I regret that this was not the case, and trouble in keeping steam was experienced in those other vessels of the fleet which were supplied with the balance of the coal in question. I respectfully venture to hope that under the circumstances of the case the Minister will see his way to waive the penalty for the failure to connect. I have, &c, D. A. AIKEN, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Assistant General Manager. [Suez Conn. 13/70.] __^_^^__^__^____

No. 101. The Assistant Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Assistant General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 10th May, 1913. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 30th ultimo [not printed] and to previous correspondence relating to the late arrival at Sydney of the s.s. " Warrimoo " on the voyage commenced at Wellington on the 4th ultimo, and to inform you that in consideration of the fact that the failure to make the connection at Sydney was due to a cause beyond your company's control, the Postmaster-General has approved of the waiving of the penalty for the late arrival. I have, &c, F. V. Waters, Assistant Secretary. The Assistant General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. Suez Conn. 13/77.] [Acknowledged 16th May, 1914.]