18

F.—6

Line ' Teutonic,' 6th July. The mail was therefore held over four days in New York on that run. The New York Central Railway have recently agreed to carry mail on their 20th Century Limited train, leaving Chicago at 12 noon and arriving in New York the next morning at 9 a.m. It is expected that the utilising of this fast train-service will assist us in the future in getting the mails into New York in good season for the trans-Atlantic sailing." The above extracts speak for themselves, and we trust will satisfactorily cover the questions raised in your favours referred to above. We have, &c, Henderson and Macfaelane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 35. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Secretaey, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 30th September, 1904. Re Duthie's question in House, that mails may purposely reach Frisco too late connect Cunard: The American Line leaves New York Saturday with tide same as Cunard. Next connection White Star from New York Wednesday. Trust this information will be included in reply.

No. 36. The Seceetary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Henderson and Macfaelane, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist October, 1904. Re Mr. Duthie's question: The reference to the sailing-days from New York of American Line and White Star steamers will be embodied in Minister's reply.

No. 37. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Seceetary, General Post Office, Wellington. g IB; _ Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, Bth November, 1904. In connection with the late arrival of the R.M.S. "Ventura" at this port on the 10th October, and the suggestion contained in your unofficial communication of the 13th October [not printed], I deemed it advisable to communicate with Messrs. J. D. Spreckels and Bros, in connection with the matter, pointing out the necessity of an earlier arrival of their steamers at this port so that during the approaching winter there might be some better prospect of making connections at New York for the through mails from the colonies. I enclose copies of correspondence with Messrs. Spreckels and Bros, in this connection, from which it would appear that the contractors fully recognise the importance of an earlier arrival of their steamers at this port; and I feel confident that they will use every endeavour to effect an arrival in future at such an hour as will secure a connection with the morning train from this city, whenever the fog and other weather conditions permit the steamers to make port in time without too severely jeopardising the safety of the vessels. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent for New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

Enclosure 1 in No. 37. The Resident Agent foe New Zealand, San Francisco, to the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Co., San Francisco. Gentlemen,— Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, Ist November, 1904. I have the honour, by direction of my Government, to direct your attention to the late arrival at this port of the s.s. "Ventura," under contract to convey the mails from the colonies to this port, on the 10th October last, and to point out to you, as I believe has been done previously, the necessity, especially during the approaching winter season, for your steamships to arrive at this port on Monday mornings in time to connect with the 10 a.m. express for the east. I am aware that upon the occasion referred to, through the concessions made by the Railway Department and fortuitous circumstances met with during the overland transit, the mails reached New York a few minutes prior to the departure of the s.s. " Etruria," and thereby made the required connection; but such favourable conditions cannot be anticipated at another time, the margin for accident or delay being entirely too close. I would, therefore, impress upon you the advisability of issuing such instructions to the commanders of your steamers as will impress upon them the vital importance of making an arrival at this port at such an hour as will assure a connection with the 10 a.m. express, unless stress of weather renders it impossible. Trusting that every effort will be made in the direction indicated, I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent for New Zealand, Messrs. the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company (Oceanic Steamship Company), San Francisco.