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The "Mariposa " got in early on Friday, and the mails proceeded to New York that night, arriving midday Wednesday, and caught the " Majestic." I am not yet advised of their arrival on the other side. I had a conversation with Mr. J. D. Spreckels yesterday. He said that .... he would go down to the colonies by the " Sierra " with his family on the 21st November. He would have gone sooner but has to go back to Philadelphia before he can leave here. There is every reason to expect that the " Mariposa " will leave to-night about on time, as the overland express is only reported one hour late as yet. The " Majestic "is reported this morning as passing Crookhaven, on the Irish coast, early this morning, so I presume she will reach Liverpool some time to-day. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 84. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 18th September, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th August last, stating that it is reported in a Press telegram from London that I had sent to the authorities at Washington a protest against the delays in the San Francisco mail-service, and in reference thereto I beg to inform you that there is no truth in such a statement. The only ground that I can think of for such a report is that in a friendly conversation I had with the representative of the United States at the Postal Union Jubilee Conference at Berne I referred to the delays which had taken place, and expressed a hope that they would be avoided in the future. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. I have, &c, W. P. Reeves.

No. 85. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd September, 1900. When does " Sonoma," first steamer, leave?

No. 86. . The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) San Francisco, 22nd September, 1900. " Sierra," first, expected to leave here 21st November. Can give nothing more definite at present.

No. 87. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Prancisco. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 29th September, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, regarding the delay in reporting the movements of the San Francisco mail-steamers. I note your explanation concerning the report of the " Alameda's " arrival. It would, however, be better that the actual hour and day of arrival or departure should be given immediately the vessel reaches the harbour or leaves the wharf, and I shall be glad if you will follow this course in the future. Presumably, the delay led to the errors in the case of the " Mariposa," which left on the 13th June, but was advised as having sailed on the 12th, and of the same vessel's arrival on the 24th ultimo, but reported as reaching San Francisco on the 23rd. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 88. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Prancisco, 4th October, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your cable of the 22nd September, to which I replied as follows [No. 86], which I confirm. Messrs. Spreckels inform me that the first steamer of the new line will be the " Sierra," and that they cannot state with any degree of certainty whether this vessel will arrive here in time to commence the service on the 21st