R—3.

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No. 36. Mr. Page to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — General Post Office, London, 9th December, 1878. I have the honor to inform you that the mails from London for Australia and New Zealand, via San Francisco, will be despatched during the ensuing year as at present, on the evening of every fourth Thursday, as follows : Thursday, 2nd January, 1879. Thursday, 17th July, 1879. „ 30th January, 1879. „ 14th August, 1879. „ 27th February, 1879. „ 11th September, 1879. „ 27th March, 1879. „ 9th October, 1879. „ 24th April, 1879. „ 6th November, 1879. „ 22nd May, 1879. „ 4th December, 1879. „ 19th June, 1879. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. AVm. Jas. Page.

No. 37. Mr. Geay to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, London. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 21st February, 1879. I have the honor, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 9th December last, furnishing the dates on which the mails from your office for Australia and New Zealand, via San Francisco, will be despatched during the current year. 1 have, Ac, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. AY. Geay. Secretary.

No. 38. The Hon. J. F. Bubns to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, Bth November, 1878. Pbesume you have been informed of Pacific Company's proposed alteration of time-table, this Government having already telegraphed Agent-General that it has been arranged with New Zealand to continue time-table on present basis, and to instruct Contractors accordingly. Perhaps no further communication to London necessary, unless to say that we adhere to decision not to alter table at present. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. J. F. Bubns.

No. 39. The Hon. J. Macandbew to the Hon. J. F. Bubns. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th November, 1878. Frisco time-table. Have heard nothing of the alteration proposed by the Pacific Company. AgentGeneral and Contractors informed by letter of intention of Governments continue existing time-table. J. Macandrew, The Hon. J. F. Burns, Sydney. (for the Postmaster-General.)

No. 40. Sir G. Gbey to the Hon. J. T. Fisheb. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th November, 1878. Agent-Genebal telegraphs " Pacific Company propose new time-table. Steamers to leave Auckland one day earlier and London one week earlier, their object being to work contract with three steamers. Think proposal most objectionable, and have told Company so, but explaining that I have not consulted you. Mails not likely reach London sooner, and too little time here for reply. Postmasters should communicate to Company table for 1879. Present table works admirably. Forster concurs, and telegraphs his Government similarly. —Vogel." This appears to us a proposal we should not agree to. It goes beyond consent recently given as to spare boat at Sydney. What do you advise ? The Hon. J. T. Fisher, Christchurch. G. Gbey.

No. 41. The Hon. J. T. Fishee to the Hon. the Pbemieb. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 19th November, 1878. Re Agent-General's telegram—Colony should insist upon employment four steamers, and absolutely refuse to alter the time-table as proposed by Contractors. Agent-General and Contractors already informed* by this colony that Governments have decided continue for 1879 time-table on existing basis, and New South Wales forwarded Contractors copy of approved time-table 1879. The Hon. the Premier, AVellington. J. T. Fishee. * Vide Nos. 25 and 27.