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No. 96. The Secretary, General Pose Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) General Post Office, Wellington, 17th September, 1898. Spreckels requested advertise and despatch steamers Wednesday. Advise Post Office.

No. 97. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sm, — General Post Office, Wellington, 18th September, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo, advising the early arrival of the British-Colonial mails at San Francisco for despatch by the " Alameda," and suggesting that the sailing-day of the steamers from your port should be altered to Wednesday, seeing that the s.s. "Campania" is scheduled to convey our mails to New York until at least the 27th November next, and possibly next year. In reply, I have to inform you that the Union Steam Ship Company has been approached with the view of having the sailing-day altered as suggested. The result you would learn from my telegram to you yesterday. Regarding the non-arrival of the last portion of the United States mails when the steamer is ready to sail, you will be good enough to detain the steamer in any case in which the entire mail has not connected. As you are aware, the United States Government now subsidises the service largely, and it is therefore entitled to some consideration in this respect. At the same time I shall be glad if, when advising Washington of the change, you will impress upon the Postmaster-General the advisability of the eastern mail leaving not later than the last of the English mails, so that there will be no delay in despatching the steamer from San Francisco. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, W. Geay. San Francisco, California.

No. 98. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, 18th September, 1897. " Campania '" only thrice more. Can date remain till next season? Spreckels expects make up downwards.

No. 99. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) General Post Office, Wellington, 21st September, 1897. Yes, Thursday.

No. 100. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Dieectob, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st September, 1897. Oue San Francisco agent cables that " Campania " will convey only three more mails, and, under the circumstances, suggests that Thursday continue to be the sailing-day, Spreckels agreeing to make up time on downward voyage. I have agreed, and cabled accordingly.

No. 101. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 22nd September, 1897. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram of the 18th instant, suggesting that, as the s.s. " Campania " would this season make only three more voyages with the colonial mails from London, the sailing-day of the steamers from San Francisco be not disturbed, and stating that it was expected that a day could be gained on the downward voyage to Auckland* My reply yesterday will have informed you that the department agrees to the existing arrangement. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, W. Geay, Secretary. San Francisco, California.