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No. 96. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 2nd February, 1907. Just in receipt of Sydney cable. Full crew nearly engaged. Sailing this afternoon. [P.O. 07/278.]

No. 97. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 3rd February, 1907. " Sonoma"" sailed from Sydney to-day, Saturday, two p.m. Captain expects to make fast passage. [P.O. 07/278.J

No. 98. The Ofpiobb in Charge, Telegraph Office, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 7th February, 1907. S \ii.nn 4.35 a.m., "Sonoma," San Francisco. [P.O. 07/278.1

No. 99. The Acting Mail Agent, R.M.S. "Ventura," to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. S IB) _ Marine Post Office, E.M.S. " Ventura," 12th February, 1907. 1 have the honour to report that the mail-steamer "Ventura," due to leave Auckland 21 st December, did not leave until 4.5 p.m., 22nd December. . . . Received pilot, Golden Gate, L2th January, 8.1,6 p.m. Steamer made fast to wharf San Francisco, 13th January, 10.49 a.m.' Mails delivered to Post Office, San Francisco, 11.45 a.m. The Eastern mails left San Francisco by 6 p.m. train same day. The best day's run was 306 miles; lowest, 230, in bad weather; cause of delay, the old trouble, defects in maohinery. Time occupied, outward voyage, 527 hours. . . . Steamer was advertised to sail 6 p.m., 18th January (Friday), but did not leave the wharf until 6.46 a.m., 19th January (Saturday). . . . Received pilot at Auckland 12th February, 7.45 a.m. Made fast .to wharf 9.45 a.m. Time occupied on inward voyage, 556 hours. The best day's run, inward voyage, was 343 miles; lowest day's run, 194 miles, in bad weather. Cause of delay, same as outward voyage. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. George Rudd, Acting Mail Agent. [P.O. 07/434. J

No. 100 The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 12th February, 1907. Pending cable from Messrs. Spreckols re work to be done to " Ventura " in Sydney, will advertise her sailing from Auckland on twenty-seventh instant. [P.O. 07/447.1

No. 101. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 13th February, 1907. Advertising "Ventura" to leave Sydney, Monday, twenty-fifth instant. Auckland, Friday, March first. [P.O. 07/447.] —————^

No. 102. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram ) Auckland, 14th February, 1907. MESSRS. Spreokbls advise me that when the "Ventura" arrives back at San Francisco she will l.c/laid up, and her sailing date from there cancelled. The "Sierra's" date from San Francisco