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No. 89. The Bhanoh Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 31st January, 1907. i have cabled Sydney thai our obligations to New Zealand must make the despatch of the steamer our chief consideration. lam also wiring Mr. Cockroft, at the Geyser Hotel, Whakarewarewa, and have arranged with Chief Postmaster here to facilitate delivery of message without delay. [P.O. 07/278.]

No. 90. The BiiANCH Mamageb, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 31st January, 1907. Sydney agents cable us as follows: " ' Sonoma's ' sailing delayed account strike firemen and sailors. Cannot say now when she will sail. Will advise later." [P.O. 07/278.]

No. 91. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 31st Januarj 7 , 1907. Sydney cables that the trial of mutinous firemen is now proceeding. They hope to cable us this evening what time they will despatch the " Sonoma." [P.O. 07/278 ]

No. 92. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 31st January, 1907. Sydney agents cable strikers sentenced four weeks' hard labour. Sydney unions will supply fresh members crew to-morrow morning, and " Sonoma " expected sail noon February first. Advertising departure from Auckland Tuesday, fifth instant, three p.m. [P.O. 07/278.1

No. 93. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist February, 1907. Am afraid "Sierra" little better than "Sonoma" and "Ventura." " Sierra " left Auckland about thirteen hours late, and I have just received advice that she reached Frisco over three days late. Glad to learn " Sonoma's " trouble apparently ended. Hope cooks and stewards will not create another complication. [P.O. 07/278.] _____________________

No 94. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, Ist February, 1907. Re "Sierra": San Francisco cable [states] arrived midnight thirtieth January. As she left here thirteen hours late she should have reached San Francisco six a.m. on the twenty-ninth January. Has therefore lost forty-two hours. Inclined to think she was delayed at Honolulu, as she was only eight hours late in arriving there. [P.O. 07/71(1).]

No. 95. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, Ist February, 1907. Sydney office cables me as follows:' "We have seen Sir Joseph Ward. He is satisfied we have taken only course left open, and we are doing our best despatch as expedient as possible. We will telegraph again. Union promise have full complement crew 4 o'clock p.m." [P.O. 07/278.]