E.—3

6

The through time between London and Auckland and Sydney has been shortened by two days, it being possible to effect a saving of one day between New York and San Francisco, in addition to the reduction of twenty-four hours on the voyage between San Francisco, Auckland, and Sydney, as agreed to by the contractors. The Thursday's departures from London and Sydney are continued, but the first despatch has been made a week later than would be the case under the existing time-table. You will observe that the interval for replies at London is to be twelve instead of ten days. It was at first intended, with the object of having the mails forwarded by the steamers of the Guion line, the fastest on the Atlantic, to fix the despatch from London on Saturday ; but, it having been suggested that Saturday would probably be an inconvenient mail-day for London, it was eventually decided to adhere to Thursday. I should, however, like to be informed whether there would be any serious objection to making Saturday the mail-day for the year 1884-85. So soon as the draft contract has been approved, a proof copy shall be sent to you. As you are aware, the preparation of the new contract has been intrusted to the Postmaster-General of New South Wales. I have, &c, Sir F. D. Bell, K.C.M.G., E. T. Conolly, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. (for the Postmaster-General.) ;j»m_«_______nj___________n»_______*_i__■___■

No. 15. Mr. Lambton to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 10th October, 1883. Postmaster-General agrees to try for six months table last proposed for Frisco service, namely, leaving Sydney December sixth, London November eighth, Frisco November twenty-third, and so on; but thinks that three p.m. as time of leaving Sydney should be adhered to, as an earlier hour would be very inconvenient for public and department. Local agents, however, point out nothing would be gained by earlier departure from here as regards arriving Auckland, as steamers would reach there at night, and would have to lie off the port till morning. S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Secretary.

No. 16. Mr. Lambton to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 12th October, 1883. Eeferring telegram 10th, presume we may now issue Frisco time-table as approved by Post-masters-General of both colonies. Please reply. S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Secretary. __a__oa m a_a_K3z__ca_nn__________a__H____Kß__i

No. 17. Mr. Gray to the Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th October, 1883. Frisco time-table may now be issued. Should be for twelve months. The Secretary, Post Office, Sydney. W. Gray.

No. 18. Mr. Lambton to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 13th October, 1883. Postmaster-General must press for time-table being issued for six months, to see how it works. If no complications arise, can then be extended. Eeply. S. H. Lambton, The Secretary, Post Office, Wellington. Secretary.

No. 19. Mr. Gray to the Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th October, 1883. Frisco time-table for six months only. The Secretary, Post Office, Sydney. W. Gray.

No. 20. Mr. Lambton to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Sydney, 18th October, 1883. Adverting to your telegram, dated the 16th instant, conveying the approval of the Postmaster-Genral of New Zealand to the adoption for six months of the draft time-table for the regulation of the mail service between Great Britain, New Zealand, and New South Wales, by way