F.—4,

6

Letters of a similar tenor were also addressed by Mr. Creighton to this office, copies of which were forwarded to Sydney, and the postal authorities of that colony invited to co-operate in giving effect to Mr. Creighton's recommendations. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. T. Fishee.

No. 10. Mr. Creighton to the Seceetaet, General Post Office, Wellington. Sic, — San Francisco, California, 20th January, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that the steamship "City of Sydney" arrived early on the 10th, but, owing to the fog, was unable to land the mail until after the departure of the overland train. The Agents of the Contractors lost no time in forwarding the mail per special train, which overtook the mail train about one hundred and fifty miles from this city, when the transfer was made by Mr. Andrews, New Zealand Mail Agent, who travelled by the express. This was done by the Contractors outside the requirements of their contract, and entitles them to consideration by the Governments of New Zealand and New South Wales. I may here state that the Pacific Mail Company have a standing arrangement with the Central Pacific for a special train on the arrival of each Australian steamer, if necessary. This costs a good deal of money, inasmuch as the entire line must be cleared for the express train, and the switches altered, to say nothing of the extra rate of speed. If necessary, the special express train, with the Australian mail, would run through to Ogden, the last point on the Central Pacific track. Mr. Andrews displayed great energy and promptitude, and is entitled to credit for what he has done. I think that this case and that of the "Australia," in which Mr. Cheeseinan took the initiative, prove the desirability of sending experienced officers in charge of your mail. I saw the Agents yesterday, and there saw a telegram from New York, dated on the 17th instant, in which they were informed that the Australian and New Zealand mail had arrived safely, and would sail same evening for England per " Celtic," a fust steamer. Should no accident occur to the steamer, the mail will arrive in London within schedule time. But for the Agent's promptitude the mail could not have loft New York before the 19th. I have not had leisure to give the new time-table attention, but will devote time and attention to it and other matters affecting the mail service, and especially with the view of accelerating the rate of speed. I think thirty-seven days can be improved upon. # * * * * # I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Eobt. J. Creighton.

No. 11. Mr. Geax to Mr. Creightoit. Sib — General Post Office, Wellington, 29th March, 1878. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th January last, acquainting me of Ihe action taken by Messrs. Williams, Blanchard, and Co., Agents at San Francisco for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, in putting on a special train to overtake the through train which had started from San Francisco eastward some hours prior to the arrival of the " City of Sydney " on the 10th January, and reporting that the mail train was overtaken one hundred and fifty miles east of San Francisco. In reply, I am directed to inform you that the Government duly appreciates this and other similar services rendered by the San Francisco Agents of the Contractors, in the interests of the contracting colonies, and that Messrs. Williams, Blanchard, and Co. have been specially written to by this mail, thanking them for their exertions in this direction, which have, on many occasions, tended to considerably expedite the arrival of the homeward mails in London. I am also directed to convey to you the thanks of the Postmaster-General for your own exertions in this matter. Should you consider that any special thanks are due to the San Francisco postal authorities, perhaps you will be good enough to convey to them by letter, in suitable terms, the acknowledgments of this department for their good offices. I have, &c, E. J. Creighton, Esq., W. Geat, Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Secretary.

No. 12. Mr. Gbay to Messrs. Williams, Blanchard, and Co. Gentlemen,— General Post Office, AVellington, March 29th, 1878., The Eesident Agent at San Francisco for this colony, Mr. It. J. Creighton, having brought under the notice of this department the prompt and effectual measures adopted by you iv the engagement, on several occasions, of special trains, with a view of expediting the transit of the Australian and New Zealand mails to New York, I am directed by the Hon. the Postmaster-General to convey to you the thanks of this department for your praiseworthy efforts in this direction, and which have on several occasions resulted in accelerating the arrival in London of the colonial mails. It is gratifying to know that the Contractors have the interests of the contracting colonies so piuch at heart, and it is to be hoped that the energetic action xtnder notice, while enhancing the value