F.—l

The following services were curtailed : — Auckland— Whakapara-Hukerenui-Kaikohe, by Whakapara-Hukerenui section (railway extended to Hukerenui). Dunedin— Wedderburn-Clyde and Wedderburn-St. Bathan's, by extension of railway from Wedderburn to Idaburn. Wellington— Homewood-Flat Point-Waikekino, to stop at Flat Point. The following services have been otherwise altered : — Blenheim— Havelock-Te Puru, by inclusion of Bulwer (new office). Christchurch— City, clearing receivers to include Addington (new receiving office). Dunedin— Chief Post-office-Woodhaugh (letter-delivery) to include delivery of daily mail at Leith Valley (new office). Hokitika— Gillespie's Beach-Jackson's Bay, by inclusion of Pakorari (new office). Napier — Napier-Mohaka, carried by coach by Inland (Turner's) Road, making continuous coach-service between Chief Post-office, Napier, and Tolaga Bay, Gisborne district ; Napier-Wairoa, by inclusion of Spit and Petane. The following services were abolished : — Auckland— Kawakawa-Euapekapeka (replaced by Towai-Ruapekapeka). Ohaeawai-Waimate North. Porootarao-Ongarue. Te Aroha-Manawaru. Blenheim— Seddon (two subsidised services). Christchurch— Blandville Post-office-Rail way-station (office closed). City, conveyance of letter-carriers on tramways. Southbridge-Little Rakaia. Duaedin— Dunedin-North-east Valley. Dunedin North-Woodhaugh-Leith Valley (now performed by letter-carrier). Patearoa-Hamilton South-Waipiata. Patearoa-Serpentine. Rough Ridge-Idaburn. Gisborne— Port Awanui-Kahukura (service re-established 16/11/01). Invercargill — Gorge Road Pose-office-Railway-siding (as a subsidised service : office now near siding). Mararoa-The Key (on another line of road). Napier— Maharahara-Maharahara Bast. Thames — Opotiki-Motu. Timaru — Morven Post-office-Rail way-station. Wellington— Gladstone-Wainuioru-Craigielea (no post-office). Homewood-Glenburn (31/12/00). Porirua-Paremata (delivery of letters). Ocean Mail-sbevicbs. In last report it was mentioned that the Government had under consideration an offer from Mr. Spreckels for continuing the San Francisco service for five years. The offer provided for seventeen trips, and payment of a subsidy of £25,622 a year. This offer was not entertained, but Mr. Spreckels was given the refusal of a five years' contract at a fixed payment of £12,000 per annum, which he declined. The service meanwhile was being carried on under an unexpired temporary arrangement with Mr. Spreckels. The question of the continuance of the service was submitted to the House of Representatives on the 18th October last, when the following resolutions were agreed to :— San Francisco Mail-service. " Resolved, — " 1. That, in view of the temporary agreement with the J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company (the Oceanic Steamship Company, of San Francisco) for the performance of a three-weekly service between San Francisco and Auckland for one year expiring next month, —

XVI