F.—6

1899. NEW ZEALAND.

OCEAN MAIL-SERVICES (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO). [In continuation of Paper F.-6b, presented on the 3rd November, 1898.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

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Page Page San Phancisco Mail Service — Canadian Contribution to Cost. Paciflo, Renewal of Service. Shortening Time on American, and Atlautio Transit. AlterVoyage .. .. .. .. 1 nation with Suez Route .. .. 64 Departure from American Ports .. .. 28 Payment of Subsidy .. .. .. 80 Vancouver Mail Service- M OONNECTING WITH Q0 Proposed Renewal. Cessation. Subse- Federal Service 82 quent Arrangements.. .. .. 46 Working Mail Steamers on Sundays .. 85

Page Canadian Contribution to Cost. Pacifio, American, and Atlautio Transit. Alternation with Suez Route .. .. 64 Payment of Subsidy .. .. .. 80 Intercolonial Service connecting with Federal Service .. .. .. 82 Working Mail Steamers on Sundays .. 85

SAN FEANCISCO M AIL - SEE VI CE.

BENEWAL OF SEBVICE. SHOBTENING TIME ON VOYAGE. No. 1. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Chaieman, Extension of Industries and Commerce Committee, Wellington. Sib— General Post Office, Wellington, 17th October, 1898. Beplying to your letter of the 14th instant [see 1.-10b, 1898], I have the honour to state that, with a fifteen-knot service between Auckland and San Francisco (present day of departure from San Francisco to be maintained), it would be possible for the inward mails to arrive at Dunedin on Wednesday night, and with a fifteen-knot service in the opposite direction (timed to arrive at San Francisco as at present) the outward mail would not require to leave Dunedin until Friday, at 11 a.m. A fifteen-knot service would, therefore, give one clear day for replies at Dunedin, two days at Christchurch, three days at Wellington, and a week at Auckland. Invercargill would have about six hours for replies, assuming the mails always arrived at Dunedin on Wednesday night, and were sent on immediately by special train. To enable the Dunedin public to reply by the Vancouver service (present days of arrival at and departure from Vancouver being maintained) a sixteen-knot service between Wellington and Vancouver would be required. This would give Dunedin about one day, Christchurch two days, Wellington three days, and Auckland one day for replies. Invercargill would have about six hours for replies, as in the case of the San Francisco service. I have, &c, The Chairman, Extension of Industries and Commerce W, Geay, Secretary, Committee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington,

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