F.—6

10

We are using every endeavour to shorten the stay of the " Sonoma " at Sydney, and trust that she may be able to leave Auckland on homeward voyage not later than 11th September. Yours, &c, Henderson and Macfarlane, General Agents for New Zealand Oceanic Steamship Company. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [P.O. 06/2857.]

No. 30. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 28th August, 1906. " Sonoma " for Frisco postponed to seventh September. [P.O. 06/2857.]

No. 31. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 31st August, 1906. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 2nd instant, acknowledging the letter from this office, dated 7th ultimo, on the subject of the San Francisco earthquake and other matters. I note what you say about the unsatisfactory running of the R.M.S. " Sonoma" and "Ventura." Your hope that the "Sonoma" might make better time on the last voyage from San Francisco has, I regret to say, not been realised, as the vessel did not reach Auckland until the 26th instant, six days late. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, 216 California Street, San Francisco, Cal. [U.S. Inc. 06/91.]

No. 32. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, Ist September, 1906. Sydney agents cable "Sonoma" will leave there seventh instant, making departure from Auckland September eleventh. [P.O. 08/2857.] ,^_^_^^^_^^_______

No. 33. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 4th September, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo [not printed], confirming your telegram of the same date, stating that you did not expect that the R.M.S. " Sonoma " would be able to leave Auckland for San Francisco until the 11th instant; also your letter of the 28th ultimo, intimating that, as desired, you had telegraphed to San Francisco to ascertain whether, in view of the delay in the " Sonoma's " departure, another vessel could be substituted in her place to enable the outward mail to be despatched from Auckland on due date —namely, the 7th instant. I note that it had not been practicable to arrange for the employment of a substitute vessel, and that you were using every endeavour to shorten the stay of the " Sonoma " at Sydney, and hoped that she might be able to leave Auckland not later than the 11th instant. I have, &c, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. W. Gkay, Secretary. [P.O. 06/2857.]

No. 34. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the J. D. Spreckels and Bros. Company, San Francisco. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 6th September, 1906. I am directed to refer to the personal representations of the Postmaster-General of this colony while in San Francisco as to the urgent need for a change in the direction of insuring the more regular arrival and departure of the steamers employed in the Auckland - San Francisco mail-