F.—6.

in New York were requested tc hold the "Campania" back until the arrival of the 2.55 p.m. train in order that the mails could go forward, but the agent notified our office that it would not be possible to hold their steamer for the three or four hours necessary. Although we have no other data before us at the present writing, we now feel assured that more than once during the past year when the mails were delivered a day or two late in London the delay was due to some little hitch in the rail transportation, and we think pressure ought to be brought to bear on the Cunard Company to detain their steamer for three or four hours in cases like the one now instanced. It is needless to point out to you that the Cunard Company in New York know to the minute when the New Zealand mail will arrive in their city, so that it seems all the more inconsiderate that they should despatch the steamer at noon, when aware that by a delay of the steamer a matter of four hours the colonial mails would be delivered on their due date in London. You are aware that the mail contract with the Oceanic Steamship Company provides for the detention of the steamers at San Francisco for three days if necessary, in order to insure against Atlantic or railway-transport delays with the English mail; and for the benefit and satisfaction of all concerned, we respectfully ask you to represent the question to the Agent-General in London with a view of influencing the Cunard Company to detain their steamers a limited time. As such detentions would only occur at rare intervals, we feel sure that you will co-operate with us to arrive at a satisfactory issue, And remain, &c, Henderson and Macfarlane, General Agents in New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 80. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster, San Francisco. g m> General Post Office, Wellington, 16th January, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that the excellent arrangements made by your office for promptly handling and checking the colonial mails which reached San Francisco by the E.M.S. "Sierra "on the Bth ultimo have been brought under the notice of this office. Although the " Sierra" was only made fast to the wharf at 9.17 a.m., the eastern mails, consisting of 540 bags, were ready for despatch by the Oakland ferry-steamer leaving at 10 a.m., the waybills being made up by one of your officers on the trip across the harbour. The Postmaster General directs me to convey to you"his thanks for and appreciation of the care and attention which enabled sucli a smart piece of work to be accomplished. I have, &c, The Postmaster, San Francisco. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 81. The Secretaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company, San Francisco. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 16th January, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that it has been brought under notice that, although the E.M.S. " Sierra" was only made fast to the wharf at 9.17 a.m. on the Bth ultimo, yet, owing to the excellent arrangements made by your company, the colonial mails for the east, consisting of 540 bags, were conveyed to the ferry in time for despatch by the Oakland steamer leaving at 10 a.m. lam directed not only to express the Postmaster-General's admiration of such a smart piece of work, but also to convey his appreciation of the care and attention given by you to the prompt transmission of the mails. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. Messrs. the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company, San Francisco.

No. 82. The Hon. the Premier to the Agent-General. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 20th January, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that the local agents for the contractors for the San Francisco mail-service have represented that, although the " Sierra" reached San Francisco on the 6th October last, due date, the mails by that vessel, owing to a delay of five hours and a half at Chicago, arrived in London three days late. The mails did not reach New York until 2.55 p.m., instead of by the 10 a.m. train, and, although the Cunard Steamship Company was requested to hold its steamer, then about to sail from New York, for three or four hours, the request was not acceded to. The local agents here of the Oceanic Steamship Company are of opinion that more than once during the past year when the mails were delivered a day or two late in London the delay was due to some hitch in the railway transportation. However, the case now instanced shows the importance of prompt connection at New York, and I should be obliged if you would use your good offices with the London Post Office and the Cunard Company with the object of securing a promise that, on occasions when mails do not reach New York until the arrival of the 2.55 p.m. train, the steamers of the company may be detained for a few hours in order to avoid the inevitable late arrival in London which would otherwise occur. In but a very few cases would such a detention

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