E.—4

8

largely interested in the trans-continental railway, and therefore have considerable influence in its management. (3.) Acceleration of Speed in Trans-Pacific Voyage. —There seems to be every reason for believing that an accelerated speed, could be maintained by the boats at present employed, in the service, as they generally on the upward voyage make the run one day more or less in advance of the contract time, and not infrequently reach Auckland in advance of the due date. (4.) The Atlantic Connection. — Although the Imperial Government has selected for the current year the fastest trans-Atlantic steamers for the conveyance of the mails from the United Kingdom to New York, the Postmaster-General is of opinion that proper representations might result advantageously to the service by securing the consent of the Imperial Post Office authorities to make permanent arrangements for the employment of only the very fastest steamers for the conveyance of the outward and homeward mails across the Atlantic. (5.) The Department is pleased to learn that all Australian mails are now enclosed in Sydney bags. (6.) Special Trains. —The Contractors have displayed very commendable zeal in this matter, and on two occasions their exertions were successful in securing earlier despatch of the mails from New York than would have been the case had the mails been kept at San Francisco for the ordinary mail trains. The Department took occasion, by a recent mail, to express its acknowledgments to the Contractors for their praiseworthy efforts in this direction. I note with satisfaction that you desire that the mails shall be sent by special trains, as occasion may arise. Our Agents will see that all necessary arrangements are carried out, and the mails transferred to the through trains. With reference to the concluding paragraph of your letter, I have to state that it is still believed that joint representations to the Contractors would probably result — (L.) In an acceleration of time between Sydney and San Francisco ; (2.) In the prompt despatch of the steamers from San Francisco immediately on the arrival of the mails from New York ; and (3.) In an arrangement for reducing the trans-continental journey, for mail purposes, to a minimum. I have, &c, W. Geay, The Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. Secretary.

No. 15. Mr. Geay to Mr. Creighton. Sic — General Post Office, Wellington, 21st May, 1878. Adverting to my communication of the 15th December last, in reply to yours of the sth of the previous month, in the concluding paragraph of which I stated that a copy of your letter, and of the enclosures thereto, would be forwarded to Sydney, I have now the honor to furnish you with copies of my letter to the Secretary of the General Post Office, Sydney, on the subject, and of his reply thereto. I have, &c, W. Geay, E, J. Creighton, Esq., Secretary. Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 16. The Agent-General to the Hon. the PostMastee-Geneeal. Sic, — 7, "Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 25th February, 1878. I have the pleasure of enclosing for your information copy of a letter from the Postmaster of New York, which Sir Daniel Cooper has been so good as to communicate to me, showing the great care and pains which are taken by the New York Post Office in the despatch of our mails. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 16. Mr. James to Sir Daniel Coopeb. Post Office, New York City, N.T., Office of the Postmaster, Mt deae Sic Daniel, — 9th February, 1878. Let me thank you for your kind letter, which I regret to have left unanswered so long, and also for the generous manner in which The Times, through your kind offices, spoke of our efforts in forwarding the Australian mail. I am pleased to say that in receiving and forwarding your mail of this week we have been equally fortunate.