F.—-1.

and seven bags were washed away, but were afterwards recovered. On one occasion the Tauranga coach was unable to get through to Rotorua. A bridge was afloat near Paengaroa, and the Matata Bridge was washed away. Extensive floods occurred in parts of the Waikato district in the same month. Railway communication was interrupted between Thames and Frankton and Auckland and Huntly. Mail-services in the Gisborne district were interrupted by floods in July, 1906. The train was unable to get beyond four miles from Gisborne. A large extent of flat country was inundated, and boats were employed in rescuing people. Thomas Jolley, a mailman, who left Tatu for Whangamomona on the Bth July, 1906, has not since been heard of. It is surmised he lost his life in attempting to cross the Tangarakau River, which was then in flood. The indications were that he abandoned his horse at the river with the intention of walking the remainder of the distance, and was swept off a defective bridge. The mail was lost. The coach performing the mail-service between Urenui and Awakino was overtaken by a wave whilst travelling on the beach between Mokau and Awakino. Three bags of mail were washed away, but were afterwards recovered. The coach from Tokaanu due to arrive at Waiouru on the 14th January, 1907, did not reach the latter place until the night of the 16th, heavy land-slips and flooded streams, especially the Puketarata Stream, being responsible for the delay. The horses attached to the Alfredton mail-coach bolted. A passenger sustained slight injuries. The mails were not damaged. Cn the 28th May, 1906, two mail-bags, placed on the train at Shannon and Longburn respectively, were found to be missing on arrival of the train at Palmerston North. Search was made without result, until the bags, without their contents, were found on the 7th December in a garden at Palmerston North. On the sth November, 1906, the Nelson-Blenheim mail coach met with an accident at Collins River, whereby two horses were drowned and one of the mails was lost. A fatal accident occurred in the mail-service between Wairau Valley and Top Valley on the 21st November, 1906. When returning from Top Valley the coach capsized, the driver and two passengers losing their lives. Two horses were also drowned, and the vehicle very severely damaged. Two bags of mail were washed away, but subsequently recovered after a lengthy search by the police. Owing to the horses attached to the Waiau-Kaikoura coach becoming unmanageable the driver was seriously injured. Two passengers were thrown from the coach, but escaped unhurt. Owing to a horse attached to the Macetown mail-coach becoming restless the vehicle capsized over an embankment on the 18th January, 1907. The horse was killed, and the vehicle smashed. No one was hurt, and the mail escaped injury. The number of contracts for inland mails in operation in 1906 was 660. There were in addition 540 services not under bond. The length of inland postal routes by road (counted one way only) was 11,601 miles, and the total number of miles travelled 3,031,034, at an average cost of 3'65d. per mile. In 1905 the respective mileages were 11,513 miles and 2,960,501, at an average cost of 363 d. per mile. Ordinary railway-trains with mails travelled 3,761,191'mi1e5. The estimated sum payable to the Railway Department for the conveyance of mails by ordinary trains was £44,000. Ocean Mail-services. San Francisco Service. The total amount paid at poundage rates to the contractors for the contract year ended November, 1906, was £18,026 13s. 4d. The maximum payable amount for any year under the contract was £20,000. The contract, which expired on the 10th November last, has not been renewed. The steamers performing the service had throughout the year been late in reaching San Francisco. Owing to the condition of the vessels, the contractors were obliged to have extensive repairs effected, which necessitated the detention of the " Sonoma," and the dropping of the round voyage from Auckland due to commence on the 9th November. The " Ventura " and " Sierra " also underwent repairs on arrival at Sydney in November and December respectively. Prior to the departure of the " Sonoma " from Sydney, towards the end of November, her despatch was further delayed in consequence of a strike by the firemen of the vessel. The company having notified its intention to abandon the trip of the " Ventura " from Auckland commencing the 22nd February, the Department requested that a substitute vessel be provided, and, this not being agreed to, the company was informed on the 4th March that, owing to the continued derangement of the service, no correspondence for the United Kingdom would in the meantime be sent by the San Francisco steamers. The last regular outward mail via San Francisco was despatched from Auckland on the 7th February, and reached London on the 24th March, ten days behind schedule time. Correspondence on the subject of the irregular departtures and arrivals of the steamers will be found in parliamentary paper F.-6. Up to and including the despatch of the steamer " Sonoma " from Auckland on the 7th February, poundage rates payable under the contract were paid to the company. Commencing with the next despatch—namely, that of the steamer " Ventura " from Auckland on the 24th March, the conveyance of mails to San Francisco was paid for at per pound weight at-Postal Union rates as follows : — For the United Kingdom and Europe — Letters .. ■.. .. .. .. .. .. 28'81d. Books and newspapers .. .. .. .. .. .. 2-16 d. For America, the United States, Canada, &c. — Letters .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 43-19 d. Books and newspapers .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 - 32 d.

XIX