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No. 62. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Auckland, 30th March, 1901. We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your wire of even date [not printed], and beg to state that so far we have only telegraphic authority from the Oceanic Steamship Company. Power of attorney to follow later on, The Union Steam Ship Company have power of attorney to receive subsidies due up to the last trip of the " Ventura," our agency only commencing with the " Sierra, " which arrived here on the 25th instant. We have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Henderson and Macfarlane.

No. 63. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Henderson and MacfarlaneAuckland. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 30th March, 1901. I have the honour to inform you that the Auckland Chamber of Commerce has represented that it would be a convenience to business-people were the San Francisco mail closed there at noon instead of 11 a.m. The Chief Postmaster thinks that it would be a greater advantage were the hour extended to 1 p.m., and states that on the 6th February and 2nd instant the mail-steamer did not get away until after 2 p.m. Owing to the hour of arrival of the south steamer, he is of opinion that in any case it will be impossible to have the mails ready before 2 p.m., seeing the amount of sorting that has to be done after that steamer's arrival. Under the circumstances, I shall be glad to know whether it can be arranged for the mail-steamer to leave at 2 p.m. in future. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, W. Gray, Secretary. Agents for the J D. Spreckels and Brothers Company, Fort Street, Auckland.

No. 64. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir,— Auckland, 3rd April, 1901. We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th March, and have pleasure in acceding to the request contained therein—that the mail-steamers leave at 2 p.m. We will advertise them for that hour in the future. We have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Henderson and Macfarlane.

No. 65. Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 4th April, 1901. Enclosed herewith we beg to hand you certified copy of power of attorney from Messrs. J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company [dated 23rd March, 1901 ; not printed], authorising us to receive and give effectual receipts for all moneys which are now due or owing to them by the Government of New Zealand. Will you kindly hand to me any such moneys due ? I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. W. A. Kennedy, Manager.

No. 66. The Secretary, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch, to the Hon. the Post-master-General, Wellington. Sir, — Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Christchurch, 16th April, 1901. I am directed by the committee of this Chamber to draw your attention to the resolutions passed at a recent conference of Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, with reference to steamship freights, and to respectfully ask that, when the contract for the San Prancisco mail-service is settled, arrangements may be made with the Oceanic Steamship Company that freights for cargo to New Zealand ports shall not exceed those charged to Melbourne. Resolutions referred to: "That it be a recommendation from this conference to the Oceanic Steamship Company of San Francisco that, with a view to foster and promote trade between the United States and the various ports of the colony, and following the precedent of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, the New Zealand Shipping Company, and. the Union Steam Ship Company, the Oceanic Steamship Company should adopt the following rules as to freight: (1.) That