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In this connection, and with reference to the report that the steamers to sail from San Francisco will probably leave that port hereafter on Wednesdays, instead of on Thursdays as announced in the pro forma time-table, I have to inform you that this department prefers that the sailing-days should be Thursdays, as originally arranged, for the reason that if the steamers sail on Wednesdays there will be barely time for correspondents east of New York—for instance, in Boston— to reply by the same steamers to letters received from the colonies, this being more particularly the case with respect to registered letters, which, on account of precautions incident to our registry system, require more time than ordinary articles for their transcontinental transit. I am, &c, N. M. Bbooks, The Postmaster-General, Wellington. Superintendent of Foreign Mails.

No. 182. The Hon. the Pbemibe to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th March, 1898. " Mioweea " sailed Saturday. Expected leave Vancouver time-table date.

No. 183. The Representative of the Canadian-Australian Eoyal Mail Steamship Company, Sydney, to the Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 15th March, 1898. London cables " Aorangi " left last Saturday, 12th March, only two days late. Inform Government fully expect regular service now maintained.

No. 184. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent of Foreign Mails, Washington. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 26th April, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd ultimo, in connection with the distribution of articles sent by way of Vancouver for and via the United States, and the time-table of the San Francisco and Vancouver mail-services. I have noted your remarks in regard to the suggested changes in the distribution scheme for correspondence for and via the United States, and have issued instructions for the necessary alterations to commence with the next mail for Vancouver from this colony. The weights of closed mails for places beyond your country will be duly advised to the Postmaster, New York. I also note the disadvantages which it is considered will follow in the eastern part of the United States on the alteration from Thursday to Wednesday in the day of departure of the mailsteamers from San Francisco. Your representations will have consideration when the time comes for framing a new time-table. Wednesday was fixed advisedly on account of the "Campania" being the steamer appointed to convey our mails from Great Britain, which, owing to the high speed that vessel is able to maintain, made it possible to despatch the mails a day earlier from San Francisco. Should Thursday be reverted to, in the event of the " Campania " being withdrawn, the New York Post Office will be duly advised. I have, &c, The Superintendent, Office of Foreign Mails, W. Gray, Secretary. Post Office Department, Washington, D.C.

No. 185. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th April, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that mails for the Samoan Islands, if forwarded by the Canadian-Australian line, are liable to a delay of two weeks at Fiji. In all cases Samoan mails would reach their destination quicker if sent by the San Francisco route only. Correspondence for the Friendly or Tongan Islands, if sent by Vancouver, should be included in the mail to Fiji, but if sent vid San Francisco it should be included in the mail for New Zealand. Correspondence for all other groups of islands in the South Pacific will receive the most prompt delivery if included in the mail for this colony. I have, &c, W. Gray, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. For the Postmaster-General.

No. 186. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmasteb-General, Ottawa. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th April, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that correspondence for the Samoan Islands, which is at present forwarded from Vancouver and Victoria by the Canadian-Australian line, is liable to »