i\—2.

Sir Daniel Cooper's telegram of the 24th February, which was communicated to this department, inferred an evident misapprehension of the instructions intended to be conveyed the Agents-General. There was no desire for an alteration in the day of despatch from London, and Sir Henry Parkes's telegram* of the 26th February to Sir D. Cooper, of which I enclose a copy, would have explained what was actually required. .A copy of the previous correspondence on this subject was forwarded with my letter of the 28th February last. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Thomas Dicic, Agent-General, London, for New Zealand. (for the Postmaster-General).

No. 38. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal. Sic,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 10th March, 1880. I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a telegram received by Sir Daniel Cooper, Acting Agent for New South "Wales, from the Chief Secretary, Sydney, relating to the departure of mails from London for the San Francisco Service, and of the correspondence which has ensued on the subject. I nave, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 38. The Agents- Geneeal for Neav South Wales and New Zealand to the Hon. the PostmasteeGeneeal, London. Sic,— 3, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Ist March, 1880. Referring to our letter of the 25th ultimo, we have the honor to inform you that we have received a telegram from the Hon. the Chief Secretary, Sydney, of which the enclosed is a copy. Will you therefore be good enough to leave the date for closing the San Francisco mail in London undisturbed. We have arranged with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company of New York to alter the day of. departure from San Francisco from Mondays to Saturdays, and are in communication with the Postmaster at New York, urging him to accelerate the mails across to San Francisco. You will notice that the telegram says, " Urge London to send by fast steamer." We understand that the mails are forwarded by your department in the fastest packets, and that no shorter period of transit across the Atlantic can be expected. We have, &c, Daniel Coopee, Agent-General for New South Wales. The Right Hon. the Postmaster-General, Julius Vogel, General Post Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, E.C. Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure 2 in No. 38. The Agents-General for New South Wales and New Zealand to the Pacific Mail Company, New York. Gentlemen, —■ 3, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Ist March, 1880. We have to thank you for your telegram of the 22nd ultimo, informing us that you will arrange to alter the day of departure for the mails for Australia from San Francisco from Mondays to Saturdays, and that the change will commence on Saturday, the 10th April. We have duly informed your London agents of this alteration. Since the despatch of our telegram to you of the 20th ultimo, we have received a message from the Government at Sydney, directing us " not to alter the day of departure from London ; only change day from Frisco. Merely urge London to send by fast steamer." As the mails are sent across the Atlantic in the fastest steamers, we cannot look for any saving of time in that part of the journey : we have therefore drawn the attention of the Postmaster at New York to the wish of our respective Governments, and have requested him to accelerate the transit as much as possible from New York to San Francisco. There being no alteration in the date of the departure of the mails from London, it is feared they may occasionally not reach San Francisco in time for despatch on Saturdays, in which case you will sail the steamer's as suggested in your telegram, on the arrival of the London mail. "We have, &c., Daniel Cooper, Agent-General for New South Wales. Julius Vogel, The Pacific Mail Company, New York. Agent-General for New Zealand.

Enclosure 3 in No. 38. The Agents-Genebal for New South "Walks and New Zealand to the Postmastee, New York. g IE 3, 'Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Ist March, 1880. We have the honor to inform you that we have received instructions by telegram from our respective Governments to change the day of departure of the Australian mails from San Francisco from Mondays to Saturdays, and to urge the London Post Office to send by fast packets, so as to reach New York on Saturday mornings.

* Vide No. 33 of present scries.

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