F.—6

10

No. 42. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sic,— Auckland, 13th October, 1903. We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth instant, respecting hour of arrival of mail-steamer in San Francisco, and beg to inform you that we shall send copy of your communication to the head office of the Oceanic Steamship Company in San Francisco for consideration. We have, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 43. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 19th October, 1903. Not necessary to fumigate. Bill of health must be vise by Consul.

No. 44. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Peime Ministee, Wellington. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 23rd October, 1903. Sic, — Mails by " Lucania." Referring to my letter of the 15th April last [No. 90, F.-6, 1903] and to your reply of the 29th May [acknowledgment, not printed], I beg to enclose herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Imperial Post Office, stating that the s.s. "Lucania" was detained for two hours at New York on the 3rd instant in order that she might bring to England the mail from the colony which was delivered here on the 12th instant. I have, &c, The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. W. P. Reeves.

Enclosure in No. 44. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, London, to the Agent-Geneeal. Sic,— General Post Office, E.C., 21st October, 1903. Referring to your letter of the 7th and my reply of the 13th March last [see No. 87 and enclosures, F.-6, 1903], I am directed by the Postmaster-General to inform you that the Cunard Steamship Company's steamer " Lucania" was, by arrangement, detained at New York on the 3rd October for two hours, so that she might carry the Homeward mail from New Zealand landed at San Francisco. It would seem that the detention was rendered possible in this instance by the fact that, although the " Lucania " was appointed to sail at 2 p.m., it was not high water at the bar until 5.15 p.m. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. H. Buxton Foeman.

No. 45. Messrs. Hendeeson and Macfaelane, Auckland, to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sic, — Auckland, 11th December, 1903. Referring to your letters of the Bth [No. 41], and 9th October [No. 7] respectively, we have the honour to enclose copy of a letter dated 18th November from the head office of the Oceanic Company, which deals with the matters in question, and which, .we trust, will prove satisfactory. We are, &c, Hendeeson and Macfaelane, General Agents for New Zealand, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.