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No. 41. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 30th March, 1905. Reported mail for United Kingdom via Frisco rarely arrives London due date, and occasionally five days late Please state whether cause delay has been ascertained and can be communicated.
No. 42. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. (Telegram.) Wellington, 30th March, 1905. From November, 1903, Frisco mails delivered London six times on due date. On three occasions five days, once four days, seven two days, and six one day late. Of the twenty-three voyages, the steamers reached Frisco twenty times on due date. Two or three hours' late arrival, however, generally means missing the Saturday steamer from New York and a late delivery in London. Delays from weather and other causes across America and Atlantic also materially contributed to late arrival in London. Weather in America and Atlantic unusually severe past few months. Since January there have been five days', one day's, and four days' late deliveries in London.
No. 43. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist April, 1905. I learn that owing to large quantity cargo " Ventura " did not get away until 5.40 last night. While 1 am very pleased to hear such large cargoes have to be handled, I trust you instructed the captain to make up the lost time, so that mails may connect with 10 a.m. train from Frisco. As you are aware, there have been serious and repeated complaints about the late Frisco deliveries in London. Since January last year our Frisco mails have reached London only on four occasions on due date. Three times they were five days, once four days, seven times two days, and six times one day late, a very bad record indeed. Only on three occasions did mails reach Frisco in time to be forwarded by the east-bound 10 a.m. train. The difference between the Commonwealth and the Orient Company has emphasized the Frisco irregularities, and we have already had an appeal from the Federal Post Office as to the irregular Frisco running and the cause. Shall be glad to hear from you that captain of " Ventura " was specifically instructed to make up lost time, and to reach Frisco in time to transfer mails to 10 a.m. east-bound train.
No. 44. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, Ist April, 1905. Yesterday Mr. Young, in handing Captain Hayward of "Ventura" newspaper cuttings calling attention to delay in arrival of mails via San Fraucisco at London, especially pointed out the necessity of arrival at Frisco in time to put mails on board 10 a.m. east-bound train.
No. 45. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company (American and Australian Line), Sir, — Auckland, Ist April, 1905. Referring to your telegram of this day, and our reply thereto: the matter of delay in arrival of the New Zealand mails at London has had our close attention, and we have again called on our head office to look into the matter. We are given to understand that the captains of the Oceanic vessels are instructed to get in to San Francisco early in the morning, if possible, so as to let the mails go forward by the east-bound train leaving at 10 a.m. In cases where they have not so arrived, the cause is given as stress of weather or other unforeseen event. Yesterday, in talking with Captain Hayward, we specially pointed out the necessity for arriving on time, and he said that no effort would be spared on his part to do so. We shall communicate your telegram of this day's date to our head office by next mail. Yours, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Henderson and Macfarlane.