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No. 126. The Hon. the Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th March, 1902. London mails January twenty-five sent by " Saxonia" three days late reaching New York. Enforced detention "Sierra" Frisco heavy loss company and late delivery here. "St. Louis" left Southampton same day "Saxonia"; arrived New York two days before "Saxonia." Urge Post Office, when swiftest contract vessels withdrawn, give mails fastest vessel available.

No. 127. Messrs. Hbndeeson and Macfablane, Auckland, to the Sbceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 14th March, 1902. Have you replied to our letter 3rd instant re steamer's detentions Frisco waiting English mail?

No. 128. The Sbceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hbndeeson and Macfaelanb, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th March, 1902. No, have not replied; but on receipt your letter cabled Agent-General purport complaint, and requested that Post Office be urged, under similar circumstances, to send mails by steamer which would insure quickest delivery. Reply not yet received.

No. 129. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaby, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sic, — Auckland, 17th March, 1902. . . . Detention of steamers: We note with thanks that you have cabled the Agent-General in London the purport of our letter advising the reason for the late despatch of steamers from San Francisco as due to the non-arrival of English mails, and thank you in anticipation of your passing on his reply. We will also be glad to hear the decision of your Government in respect of the matter of compensation dealt with in our letter. We have, &c, Henderson and Macfaelane. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 130. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland. Gentlemen,— General Post Office, Wellington, 22nd March, 1902. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to refer to your letter of the 3rd instant, on the subject of the detention- of the s.s. " Sierra " for three days at San Francisco—from the 6th to the 9th ultimo—owing to the late arrival of the British mails despatched from Liverpool by the Cunard liner " Saxonia " to New York, and pointing out that had the mails been sent by the fast American liner " St. Louis " the delay would probably not have occurred. You no doubt received my telegram of the 14th instant, in answer to yours of the same date, in which I informed you that on receipt of your letter a cablegram had been sent to the AgentGeneral conveying the purport of your complaint, and requesting that the Imperial Post Office be urged, under future similar circumstances, to send mails by the vessel which would insure the quickest delivery. In reply to your application for compensation on account of the expenses to which your company has been put by the detention of the " Sierra," the Postmaster-General desires me to refer you to the clause in the draft contract governing payments in such cases, and to say that he would be prepared to pay demurrage, as provided by clause 8 of the draft contract, if it might be assumed that the United States Post Office would not object to the payment being made. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Gray, Secretary