13

F.— 4

Sub-enclosure in Enclosure 1 in No. 27. Table showing the date and hour of arrival at New York of the Cunard Packets, despatched from Queenstown every Sunday, during the six months from the 1st August, 1887, to the 31st January, 1888, together with length of each voyage:—

Enclosure 2 in No. 27. The Agent-General to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, S.W., sth March, 1888. I have to acknowledge with thanks Mr. Eea's letter of the 2nd instant, intimating the assent of the Post Office to the proposal of my Government for changng the day of London despatch of the New Zealand mails via San Francisco from Wednesdays to Saturdays. With reference to the last paragraph of my letter of the 16th February, I should be glad if you would fix Saturday, 24th March, as the first day for the commencement of the new day of despatch. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, St. Martin's le Grand. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 3 in No. 27. The Agent-General to Mr. Eea, General Post Office. (Telegram.) sth March, 1888. Thanks for official letter. You do not say when it would suit you for Saturdays to begin. Can you wire me this ? Dillon Bell.

The General Post Office to Sir Francis Bell. (Telegram.) sth March, 1888. We commence Saturday, 24th March, if you like. Propose in your official reply. Eea.

The Agent-General to Mr. Eea, General Post Office. (Telegram.) sth March, 1888. Thanks. Am proposing March 24th accordingly. Bell.

No. 28. The Agbnt-Geneeal to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 24th March, 1888. In my letter of the 18th February I enclosed copy of one I had addressed to the Imperial Post Office on the preceding day, asking that the existing arrangements as to division of postage in connection with the San Francisco service should be continued until November, 1889. You will be

Name of Packet. Left Qucenstown, Sunday, Reached Now York. Length of Voyage. 'Etruria" ... ' Aurania " ... ' Ilmbria " ' Servia " 'Etruria" 'Aurania" ... ' Umbria " ... ' Servia " 'Etruria" ... ' Aurania " ... ' Umbria " ... 'Servia" 'Etruria" ... ' Aurania " ... ' Umbria " ' Servia " :'Etruria" " Aurania " ... ' Umbria " •... :'Gallia" 7th August 14th August 21st August 28th August 4th September ... 11th September ... 18th September ... 25th September ... 2nd October 9th October 16th October 23rd October 30th October 6th November 13th November ... 20th November ... 27th November ... 4th December 11th December ... 18th December ... Saturday, 13th August, 3.5 p.m. Sunday, 21st August, 5.47 p.m. Sunday, 28th August, 4.7 a.m. Monday, 5th September, 11.20 a.m. ... Sunday, 11th September, 2.30 p.m. Sunday, 18th September, 6.6 p.m. Saturday, 24th September, 3.24p.m. ... Monday, 3rd October, 6.52 a.m. Sunday, 9th October, 0.5 a.m. Sunday, 16th October, 6.0 p.m. Sunday, 23rd October, 0.40 a.m. Monday, 31st October, 7.36 a.m. Monday, 7th October, 11.15 a.m. Sunday, 13th November, 7.55 p.m. Sunday, 20th November, 0.40 a.m. Monday, 28th November, 6.50 a.m. ... Sunday, 4th December, 9.20 a.m. Monday, 12th December, 6.57 a.m. ... Monday, 19th December, 4.18 a.m. ... Tuesday, 27th December, 9.5 a.m. 1888. Sunday, 1st January, 8.55 p.m. D. II. M. 6 1 30 7 4 42 6 15 16 7 22 18 7 1 25 7 4 54 6 2 18 7 17 37 6 10 35 7 5 4 6 11 44 7 18 16 7 22 0 7 6 55 6 11 33 7 17 38 6 19 35 7 16 47 7 14 25 8 18 19 " Etruria " 25th December ... 1888. 6 18 15 :'Bothnia" ... '■' Umbria" ... " Servia " "Gallia" :'Aurania" ... 1st January 8th January 15th January 22nd January 29th January Thursday, 12th January, 5.25 a.m. Monday, 16th January, 9.13 p.m. Tuesday, 24th January, 1.37 a.m. ..; Tuesday, 31st January, 2.40 p.m. Monday, 6th February, 2.47 a.m. 10 16 1 7 19 9 8 12 31 9 1 27 7 13 35