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as at present, I am directed to state that Saturday is a bad mail-day, but, as the reasons for the change appear to be good ones, the Postmaster-General has agreed to such change being adopted on trial. I have, &c, S. H. Lambton, Deputy Postmaster-General. B. Grayson, Esq., representing J. Huddart and Company, 63, Pitt Street, Sydney.

No. 157. The Sbcbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. General Ppst Office, Wellington, 23rd December, 1897. Sir, — Pacific Mail-services, Eeferring to my letter of the 10th instant, I have now the honour to forward the resolutions of Parliament as passed on the 13th idem, and I beg to submit for your approval a time-table which, with the exception of the first voyage of the mail-steamer from San Francisco, will enable a regular fortnightly service to be maintained between this colony, Canada, the United States, and the "United Kingdom. It is the intention of this department to establish a travelling post-office on the mail-steamers, in charge of a New Zealand postal officer, and I shall be much obliged if you will instruct your Postmaster at Vancouver to afford him any facilities in the way of obtaining information concerning the transportation of the mails. Should you so desire, I shall be glad to arrange for the sorting of your mails from this colony into divisions which will facilitate their disposal at Vancouver on your forwarding me distributionlists. The inauguration of a direct mail-service between your dominion and New Zealand gives me an opportunity to express the hope that the good relations which have always existed between our departments will be long maintained. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 158. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Genebal, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th December, 1897. Colony decided subsidise Vancouver service. Desired despatch steamers from Vancouver three days later than at present, commencing February twelve. Company agrees. Kindly cable approval. Mail under contract leaves here January eighth, then February third, and every succeeding four weeks. Frisco mail leaves London week earlier than now, commencing February twelve.

No. 159. The Bepresentative of the Canadian-Australian Eoyal Mail Steamship Company, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 24th December, 1897. Cable received. " Aorangi " advertised January 29th. Have cable London advertise " Warrimoo " February 10th. Will submit company's articles in due course. . . .

No. 160. The General Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Christchurch, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 24th December, 1897. I beg give you notice that the date departure "Aorangi" from Wellington has been postponed until 10th February on account necessary repairs to engines at Sydney.

No. 161. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Hon. the Postmasteb-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 28th December, 1897. This department no objection proposed change date sailing Canadian-Australian steamer from Vancouver commencing tenth February.