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made. The United States railway mail officials assured him that there would be no delay in the delivery between Chicago and New York, and the New York Post Office authorities advised the Post Office here that despatch would be given to the mails from there to Great Britain. The delay is inexplicable and most vexatious, and I can quite understand the dissatisfaction in London business circles, as indicated in your cable of the 4th instant [No. 189, F.-6, 1898]. The delay to the " Aorangi's " mails had been taken up by the Post Office here prior to the receipt of your message. The Postmaster-General, Ottawa, was cabled concerning the delay, and the Resident Agent, San Francisco, requested to accompany the " Miowera's " mails from Vancouver through to New York to determine where the delay occurred, and to take steps to prevent delays in future. Mr. Smith, unfortunately, was unable to reach Vancouver in time, but he will go through with the " Warrimoo's " mails. I attach copy of your cable message I have already referred, to, and also of the reply [No. 194, F.-6, 1898]. I have, &c, The Hon. W. P. Reeves, R. J. Seddon. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 39. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, sth July, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th ultimo, forwarding, copy of a communication from your department to Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Co. (Limited), and of their reply, relative to the changes made last year in connection with the Sydney-Vancouver mail-service, whereby Wellington was made a port of call, an extra steamer employed in the service, the number of voyages increased from twelve to thirteen per annum, and the number of hours occupied on the voyage raised to 648. In reply, I have to inform you that the PostmasterGeneral agrees to the whole proposal mentioned in your letter of the Bth ultimo to Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Co. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,500 copies), £7 Vs. 6d.

By Authority: John Mackay. Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9B. Price 6d.]

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