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On arrival of the " Monowai" with reports of cholera at Honolulu I deemed it wise, after consultation with the Mail Agent, to add the words "Cholera, Honolulu" to the ordinary cable announcing the " Monowai's " arrival, so as to enable the Government to take such steps as they might deem wise regarding instructions to the following boats to call at that infected port. Since that date cable advices have been received of the arrival of the " Mariposa " at Auckland, reporting that the Honolulu epidemic was simply caused by fish poison. Later advices, however, have contradicted this report, and it has now been fully established that cholera in a malignant form is raging at Honolulu. As, however, these reports have undoubtedly informed you of this contradiction, I have not deemed it necessary to incur the expense of additional cables. Trusting that my action in this matter may be approved, I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, W. Gray, Esq., Eesident Agent. Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington, New Zealand.

No. 22. The Eesident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — San Francisco, 11th December, 1895. I have the honour to report that a fast express train from the Atlantic sea-board to San Francisco has lately been inaugurated, which has reduced the time occupied between New York and this city to a little over four days, arriving here at 8.45 p.m. instead of 10.45 a.m. the following day. In order to secure the benefit of the faster service for the transmission of the New Zealand outward mails I deemed it advisable to communicate with the Foreign Mail Department at Washington. A copy of my communication, and the reply thereto, is herewith enclosed for your information. I also interviewed Messrs. J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company in reference to the earlier despatch of the contract steamers from this port. These gentlemen seem to be of the opinion that a despatch from this port on Thursday at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. should be satisfactory. But I am of the opinion that a departure at, say, midnight of Wednesday would be more satisfactory. A departure at that hour would be quite feasible and in accordance with the custom prevailing during a considerable portion of the period during which the Pacific Mail Company were the contractors. I do not see why the colonies should not reap the full benefit of the time gained by the increased speed of the overland transit. The change in the hour or even day of the departure in this case will not in any measure affect European or Eastern United States despatches. I should be pleased to be placed in possession of your views upon this subject at an early moment. The continuance of the special express referred to, however, is not at present assured beyond the continuance of the winter season. Trusting my actions as outlined above may meet with your approval, I have, &c, W. Gray, Esq., H. Stephenson Smith, Secretary, Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington. Eesident Agent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 22. The Eesident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Superintendent of Foreign Mails, Washington, D.C. Sir, — San Francisco, 16th November, 1895. I have the honour to direct your attention to an announcement in the Press that it is contemplated initiating a fast express train, on and after the 25th instant, which will make the through journey from New York to San Francisco in four days, the route chosen being by the New York Central and Hudson Eiver, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Chicago and NorthWestern, the Union Pacific, and the Central Pacific Eailroads. I am informed by the Southern Pacific Bailroad of this city that this fast express is assured during the winter season, and, further, that no arrangements have yet been made whereby the United States mails are to be carried upon these trains. I would therefore like to ascertain whether the United States postal authorities propose to make arrangements for eastern connections, in order that this fast express can be utilised to the advantage of the Australian-British mails in transit from the United Kingdom to the colonies. As the subsidy to the Canadian mail route is now under consideration of the New Zealand Parliament, with prospects of favourable consideration, I am extremely anxious to secure the advantages of any acceleration of speed in transit, in order to demonstrate the superiority of the American route. Your kind and early consideration of this matter will be esteemed, as some change may be rendered necessary in the departure of the connecting steamer from this port. I have, &c, N. M. Brooks, Esq., H. Stephenson Smith, Superintendent of Foreign Mails, Washington, D.C. Resident Agent.

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