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No. 69. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. SIR _ General Post Office, Wellington, 27th August, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo advising that the Postmaster-General had approved of the steamers of the Canadian-Aus-tralian line calling at Fanning Island en route to and from Vancouver, commencing from September next for six calls, as may be found necessary in the interests of the Pacific Cable Board and also at Hull Island, if required, such arrangement to be on trial only, and subject to withdrawal at any time by the Postmaster-General without notice. I note that the Sydney and Brisbane offices had each been instructed to make up a special bag, addressed to the Postmaster, Fanning Island. I have now to inform you that this Department has been advised that the Canadian (jovernment has granted permission for the Vancouver mail-steamers to call at Fanning Island, on conditions similar to those decided upon by your Administration. As desired by the Pacific Cable Board, the first call will be made by the R.M.S. " Moana," leaving Sydney on the 31st October next, and subsequent calls once in every eight weeks. In this connection 1 would refer you to my letter of 23rd June last. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne.

No. 70. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. g]R _ General Post Office, Wellington, 29th August, 1904. In continuation of my letter of the 21st June, in whicli I informed you that it was proposed that the vessels of the Canadian-Australian line running between Brisbane, Suva, and Vancouver should, from September next, call at Fanning Island six times a year, I have the honour to inform you that the first call will now be made by the R.M.S. " Moana," leaving Sydney on the 31st October, and subsequent calls once in every eight weeks. I have, &c, W. Gray, for the Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, London.

No. 71. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent of Foreign Mails, Washington. SIR _ General Post Office, Wellington, 29th August, 1904. In continuation of mv letter of the 21st June last, stating that the arrangement whereby Fanning Island was served by San Francisco mail-steamers had been terminated, and that, so far as this Department was aware, 'the mails, from September next, would be carried six times a year by vessels of the Canadian-Australian line, I have the honour to inform you that the first call will now be made by the R.M.S. " Moana," leaving Sydney on the 31st October, and subsequent calls once in every eight weeks. T nave, &c.. The Superintendent, Office of Foreign Mails, W. Gray, Secretary. Post Office Department, Washington, D.C.

No. 72. The Secretary, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Commonwealth of Australia, Postmaster-General's Department, gIH _ Melbourne, 30th August, 1904. I have the honour, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of Sir Joseph Ward's telegram of the 23rd instant, intimating he had been advised that the Postal Administration of Canada cannot agree to Auckland being substituted for Brisbane in connection with the Vancouver mail-service, and asking if any help can be given. In reply, lam directed to state that the matter, has been referred to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth for consideration. T haye > t C " m Q a , The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Robt. T. Scott, Secretary.