13

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from March next, and I am now only awaiting the consent of the New South Wales Government, which will, no doubt, be forthcoming in the course of a few days. So soon as the matter is finally settled I will advise you by cable. I have, &c, W. C. Walkee, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 43. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sic,— 7th February, 1899. Beferring to my letter of the sth January last and to cablegrams, copies of which I attach, I beg to transmit herewith copy of letter from Messrs. B. W. Cameron and Co., by which it will be seen that the Post Office authorities at New York are not yet able to give a definite reply to the inquiry as to whether the New Zealand mail arriving at San Francisco on a Friday would arrive at New York in' time to catch the American line steamer leaving on the following Wednesday. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.

[For Enclosures 1, 2, and 3 in No. 43 see Nos. 25 and 26 and Enclosure 2 in No. 33.]

No. 44. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, Bth February, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th December last, transmitting copy of correspondence which has passed between yourself and Messrs. B. W. Cameron and Co., New York, relative to the connection with the Atlantic steamers at New York of the colonial mails forwarded via San Francisco and Vancouver. My letter of the 19th ultimo dealt with the subject-matter of the one now under acknowledgment. I am still without precise information as to the gain on the railway journey between Vancouver and New York; but, from the fact that the " Aorangi's " mails, which arrived at Vancouver on the 26th January, caught the " Saale," which left New York at 10 a.m. on the 31st, itj'i'g evident that the Canadian Pacific Bailroad Company has accelerated its train-service to insure the advantages of the shortened time between Chicago and New York. I have, &c, W. C. Walkee, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Beeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 45. The Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal to Messrs. B. W. Cameeon and Co., New York. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 10th February, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge, with many thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 29th December last, enclosing extract from the New York Times of the 25th idem concerning the acceleration of the transcontinental train-service. My letter of the 19th ultimo will have advised you that the information which you no doubt forwarded at the same time to the Agent-General had been conveyed to me by cable. I am now pleased to be able to inform you that the two-days later departure from NewjZealand which was contemplated has been arranged to commence with the steamer sailing from Auckland in March. This change should shorten the time between Auckland and London to thirty days. Although under the proposed running the connection with the Wednesday's steamer from New York seems to be assured, it may happen that the trains will not always arrive to time, and should this render necessary a short detention of the steamers it is assumed that the companies concerned will not object to hold their vessels for an hour or two for the mails. Your assistance in obtaining such a concession would be highly esteemed. I have, &c, W. C. Walkeb, for the Postmaster-General. Messrs. R. W. Cameron and Co., 23, South William Street, New York.

No. 46. The Hon. the Peemiee and Colonial Tbeasueee, Sydney, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 10th February, 1899. Youb telegram of 31st January : This colony does not object to proposed change in date of starting Frisco mail-steamer.