F.—6

8

No. 22

The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Sic, — Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., sth January, 1899. Beferring to my letter of the 14th December last, I beg herewith to transmit copies of further letters from Messrs. B. W. Cameron and Co. relative to the forwarding of the New Zealand mails to this country. It is satisfactory to note that, as advised by Messrs. Cameron in their letter of the 29th ultimo, arrangements have been made by which a saving of a whole day will be effected as regards the mails between New York and San Francisco. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.

Enclosure 1 in No. 22. Messrs. B. W. Cameeon and Co., New York, to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— 23, South William Street, New York, 22nd December, 1898. Our senior's attention has been called to the correspondence of last month on the subject of the New Zealand-Great Britain mail connections, and finds but little to add thereto. In reply toyourquery whether we could ascertain with whom thepowerof making such an alteration rests, as it would probably be worth the while of the New Zealand Government to send, if necessary, a special agent to America in order to negotiate with the authorities respecting it, we would say that, via Vancouver, it would rest entirely with the Canadian Pacific Bailway, and from San Francisco with the service there conducted by the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Eailways. All trains run on specified time-tables, and the mail contracts are made to conform thereto. We cannot express an opinion as to the advisability of the New Zealand Government sending a special agent, further than that he would be well received and enjoy the hospitality of the railway officials. We would further add that there have been occasions when, at the request of the Postmaster, mail-steamers have postponed departure for a few hours, awaiting delivery of your mails; but that was when the mails were within hail. We may mention that during the winter months trains are frequently behind time, caused by snow-storms, and also that the large steamers of the Cunard line—"Campania" and " Lucania"—are the only ones that regulate their departure by tidal flow. Our senior is in close touch with the railway officials, his services are at your disposal, and he can promise that every consideration will be given to your request, and that the mails will in nearly every instance go forward by the steamship sailing on date of arrival here. We are, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. B. W. Cameeon and Co.

Enclosure 2 in No. 22. Messrs. E. W. Cameeon and Co., New York, to the Agent-Genebal. Sib,— 23, South William Street, New York, 29th December, 1898. We have pleasure in enclosing extract from the Neiv York Times of the 25th December [not printed] regarding arrangements for mails between New York and San Francisco, by which a saving of a whole day will be effected. As this has a bearing on the information which we have already mailed to you on this subject, we have no doubt it will prove of interest. ' We have also forwarded to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, a similar extract to the one now enclosed to you. We are, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. B. W. Cameeon and Co.

No. 23. The Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sib, — Dunedin, sth January, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 30th ultimo, with regard to the continuation of the mail-service between Auckland and San Francisco, and note that a draft form of agreement will be prepared and submitted to us in due course, for which I thank you. I have, &c, T. W. Whitson, for Managing Director. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 24. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. (Telegram.) London, 7th January, 1899. San Feancisco mail-service : Camerons advise arrangement has been made saving whole day between New York and San Francisco.