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No. 77. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sir,— Auckland, 29th May, 1901. Reverting to your esteemed favour of the 22nd ultimo [not printed], we have now pleasure in enclosing herewith power of attorney [not printed], sent to us by Mr. John D. Spreckels, president of the Oceanic Steamship Company, empowering us to receive mail-money paid by your Government for carriage of mails by steamers of this company. We shall be pleased if you will return it at your convenience, and, should you wish, we will forward you a certified copy of same. Waiting your further communications, We have, &c., Henderson and Macfarlane. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 78. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. Gentlemen, — Genera! Post Office, Wellington, 4th June, 1901. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, forwarding power of attorney empowering your firm to receive such sums of money as may become due from time to time to the Oceanic Steamship Company from the New Zealand Government for the carriage of mails. I shall be glad to have a certified copy, in duplicate if practicable, of the document, as offered. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, W. Gray, Secretary. Agents, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland.

INCIDENTS AND TRANSIT IN THE UNITED STATES, Etc. No. 79. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 14th July, 1900. I beg to transmit herewith copy of letter from the General Post Office, with respect to the omission on the part of that department to send the official correspondence from this office by the San Francisco mail which left London on the 30th June last. A cablegram [not printed] was sent to you on the sth instant, informing you of this occurrence. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Reeves.

Enclosure in No. 79. The Secretary, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-General. Sir, — General Post Office, London, 13th July, 1900. With reference to the communication made to you on the 4th instant [not printed], that the correspondence from your office for New Zealand intended for conveyance via San Francisco had not been included in the mails despatched from London on the 30th June, I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acquaint you that the inquiry into the circumstances of this unfortunate irregularity has now been completed. The accident occurred in connection with the removal of a section of the Post Office from Saint Martin's-le-Grand to Mount Pleasant ; and I am to express the Postmaster-General's great regret that the need for issuing special instructions for the treatment of your official correspondence had been overlooked. The letters were sent on vid Suez on the 6th instant in accordance with your request. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. A. B. Walkley, for the Secretary.

No. 80. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 4th August, 1900. I have the honour to inform you that it is reported by Press telegram, dated London, 31st July, that you have sent to the authorities at Washington a protest against the delays in the San Francisco mail-service. The Postmaster-General is not aware to what your protest specially refers, although unfortunately there have been several delays; but these have been fully inquired