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delay of two weeks at Fiji. It would therefore appear advisable to despatch such matter by the San Francisco route only. A closed mail should be made up for Fiji, to contain correspondence for the Friendly or Tongan Islands as well. Postal matter for other groups of islands in the South Pacific may be included in the mail to this colony. As a result of a suggestion of the postal authorities at Vancouver, it has been agreed that when the final mail for the colonies arrives there late unsorted American mail for Australia may be sent to the mail-agent, so as to avoid delay in despatch of the steamer where that would result from such mail being sent to the post-office to be sorted. Another suggestion, that our officers should deal with the mails from the other colonies so as to make one mail for each receiving office instead of seven, is not thought to be practicable. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, Canada. W. Geay, Secretary.
No. 187. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manages, New Zealand Shipping Company, Wellington. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 4th May, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that I have learned by telegraph from Auckland this morning that when the s.s. " Flora " left Fiji, at 5 p.m. on the 28th ultimo, the E.M.S. " Miowera " was in the harbour. She arrived there at 10 o'clock in the morning, and was advertised to sail at midnight. This seems an unduly protracted stay, considering the steamer was three days late in leaving Vancouver. In cases in which the steamers are behind time it is desirable that detention en route should be materially reduced, and I shall be glad if you will make the necessary arrangements in this direction. I have, &c, W. Geay, Secretary. The Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Wellington.
No. 188. The Besident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Eesident Agency of the New Zealand Government, Sic,— San Francisco, 19th May, 1898. I returned to San Francisco on the 21st ultimo, after twenty days' absence in the Bast and Canada. . . . ;It had been my intention, as mentioned in my last communication [not printed], to take the opportunity of going over the route of the Canadian mails from Chicago to Portal, but unfortunately I received a telegram at Chicago which demanded my presence in Toronto, and prevented me carrying out my desire as regards that portion of the route. I, however, was enabled to make the through trip from Montreal to Vancouver, a long and wearisome journey. I was not at all impressed with the management of the Canadian-Pacific road. We were seven hours late, which seems to be the usual thing, a deficiency in engine-power appearing to be the principal cause of delay. I made inquiries while at Chicago, and learned that one cause of delay to the through mail-service seems to be the disinclination of the Lake Shore and Hudson Eiver railroad to convey mails by their limited train from New York, leaving at 5 p.m., which throws the mails on to the later trains, and thus causes them to miss the 6.30 p.m. train from Chicago the next day, there being only one through train a day to connect at Portal. . . . I have, &c, W. Gray, Esq., Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. H. Stephenson Smith.
No. 189. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 4th June, 1898. Vancouvee service : Much dissatisfaction at unpunctual deliveries. Suggest New Zealand Government officer accompany mail endeavour to ascertain what causes delay.
No. 190. The Deputy Postmastee-Geneeal, Sydney, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram). Sydney, 4th June, 1898. Sydney and Vancouver service : I understood Wellington deviation would only lengthen voyage twenty-four hours. Please explain why in time-table you sent us you provided for longer period.