E.—2

5

In compliance with that request the Postmaster-General of the United States was written to, and the instructions given by him to the Postmaster of New York have been acted upon up to the present time. A case having recently occurred in which the Australian mails have suffered delay by being detained at New York until the departure of a Wednesday packet, the Postmaster-General of the United States has inquired whether it is desired that the rule hitherto observed should continue in force, or whether, when it is apparent to the New York Office that the mails will reach their destination earlier if forwarded by other vessels, they may be so forwarded. I am to transmit to you a copy of the letter received from Washington, and to request that you will be good enough to favour his Lordship with your opinion as to the answer to be made to thia inquiry. A similar request has been made of the Agent-General for New South Wales. I have, Ac., The Agent-General for New Zealand. Wm. Jas. Page. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 11. The StrPEEiNTESTDENT of Foreign Mails, Washington, to the Postmastee-Geneeal, London. Post Office Department, Sir,— Office of Foreign Mails, Washington, D.C., 27th September. 1879. On the 15th instant the Postmaster of New York telegraphed this department that the Australian mails for Great Britain would arrive at New York on the 10th instant, and asked if they should be despatched by the Guion steamer " Montana," to sail on that day, or be detained for the steamer "Algeria," to sail on the 17th instant. In reply to this despatch the New York Office was instructed that, under the directions received from your office, the mails in question should be held for the " Algeria." The Postmaster-General having this morning received notice that the Guion steamer" Montana" reached Queenstown at 4 p.m. on the 25th instant, and that the "Algeria" arrived at the same port at 2 a.m. on the 27th instant, I am directed to inquire whether you are disposed to permit any departure from the previous instructions of your office respecting the forwarding from the United States of the closed mails in question, in cases where, as in the instance referred to, it is apparent to the forwarding office that the mails can be more expeditiously sent by other vessels than those to which your instructions restrict them. I have, &c, Joseph H. Blacefan, The Postmaster-General, London. Superintendent of Foreign Mails.

Enclosure 2 in No. 11. Sir Daniel Coopeb to the Secretary, New South Wales Government Agency. Deab Sib, — 6, De Vere Gardens, Kensington Palace, W., 16th October, 1879. I am in receipt of your letter of yesterday, enclosing copy of one from Mr. Blackfan, of the Post Office, Washington, and also one from Mr. W. J. Page, of the General Post Office, London. In 1876, on my way to Sydney, chiefly on the subject of the San Francisco and New South Wales and New Zealand Postal Contract, I took great pains to see General James, the Postmaster of NewYork, Mr. Blackfan, of Washington, and the Postmasters at Chicago, Omaha, and San Francisco ; and the whole matter of the through Australian mail was discussed, and certain promises made to me which have been faithfully kept; and in correspondence with General James I have been constantly informed, up to last month, as to what has been going on. I know that the United States Government and its postal authorities, and also the railway companies, have done everything to facilitate the passage of the mail both ways that it was possible for them to do, even to expediting the trains between Chicago and New York —making it to arrive before time to catch the outgoing White Star steamer, and detaining the steamer at Sandy Hook until the mail could be sent on board by tender. General James keeps a record of the passages of al 1 steamers going to and from Great Britain and New York, and he knows exactly the speed of each. I should strongly urge both the Postmaster-General of England and the Postmasters-General of New South Wales and New Zealand to put full confidence in General James and the United States Government, and place this mail entirely in their hands, unfettered by any restrictions. They have earned this confidence by the way they have managed it for four years, and they ought to have it. I have, &c, S. Yardley, Esq. Daniel Cooper.

No. 12. The Seceetary, General Post Office, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington (Telegram). Sydney, 24th December, 1879. It appears that some mails from these colonies via Frisco for London have been delayed through being detained for despatch by certain boats from New York, according to arrangement made in October, 1875. America has asked, through London, whether, when it is obvious delay will be caused by adhering to arrangement, New York Office may use discretion respecting despatch. What is your opinion? Postmaster-General thinks General James or his locum tenens might use discretion and forward mails by most favourable opportunity. Reply by wire. Secbetaey, General Post Office, Sydney. The Secretary, General Post Office, "Wellington.