F.—6.

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No. 65. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd March, 1899. I have the honour to attach hereto copy of your cable message of the 15th ultimo and my reply of the 17th about the proposed Monday despatch from Auckland of the San Francisco mail. The Postmaster-General was of opinion that there was but a minimum risk of the mails by the steamers leaving Auckland on Monday not connecting with the fast Wednesday boat from New York. Since the nineteen-days service has been in operation the steamers have reached San Francisco on an average eleven hours ahead of time, and, as the accelerated railway-running appears to be assured, there seems little danger of the connection not being made good. In any case the Monday departure is to be given a trial, remembering that a material gain will be secured, under the new arrangement. I have, &c, H. Stevenson Smith, Esq., W. Geay, Secretary. Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

' No. 66. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 2nd March, 1899. I have the honour to attach copy of my telegram of the 18th ultimo, yours of the 20th, and my reply of the 27th on the subject of the Monday despatch from Auckland of the San Francisco mail. I am of opinion that there would be but a minimum risk of the mail not connecting with the Wednesday fast steamer from New York. Since the nineteen-days service commenced the steamers have invariably arrived at San Francisco on an average eleven hours before time, and the accelerated railway-running appears to be assured. I have therefore decided to give the Monday departure a trial. 1 may say the contractors for the service do not think that there will be any failure in the steamers arriving at San Francisco in ample time to connect with the Friday evening fast mail-train for New York. I have, &c, W. C. Walkee, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 67. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 2nd March, 1899. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth January last [see No. 22], transmitting copies of further letters from Messrs. R. W. Cameron and Co., of New York, relative to the forwarding of the New Zealand mails for the United Kingdom. As advised by my letter of this date, it has been decided to adhere to the determination to despatch the mails from Auckland to San Francisco on the Monday, as there is every reason to believe that connection with the fast Wednesday boat from New York will be made. I have, &c, W. C. Walkee, for the Premier. The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, London.

No. 68. The Chief Postmasteb, Auckland, to the Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 3rd March, 1899. Union Company here advertise Frisco mail-steamer to leave at two p.m. on 20th March. I understand she is to leave at noon. Would you arrange with head office of company, and instruct me at which hour steamer will leave ? .....'■ '

No. 69. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Dieectoe, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd March, 1899. Have you yet instructed your Auckland office that Frisco steamer leaves noon instead of two p.m. from twentieth ? Understand advertised for two.

No. 70. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Chief Postmasteb, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd March,lB99, Frisco steaifl&r to leave at noon,