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on April 11th may also be withdrawn, but this latter is not definite. Matters have now reached a stage when some sacrifice of time-table must be made in order that the company can guarantee punctuality of arrivals and .departures, [B.F. Agr. 07/24.]

No. 103. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 14th February, 1907. We are negotiating at present with Huddart-Parker for charter of " Riverina "as a stopgap. My recommendation to Mr. Spreckels of this course has met with a cable to send all particulars and earliest time " Riverina " would be available. As officially wired you, however, it seems inevitable that the " Ventura's " next date from San Francisco will be cancelled. [S.F. Agr. 07/24.1

No. 104. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 14th February, 1907. In the face of the break in the service only the other day, the proposed withdrawal of the " Ventura " would be very serious, but I recognise something drastic has to be done to rehabilitate service and restore public confidence. I thought that the sacrifice in the running had already been made when trip dropped the other day to enable steamer undergo overhaul Sydney, which, unfortunately, entirely failed in its object as irregularities as rife as ever, and to an extent which I fear cannot be tolerated much longer by New Zealand. While writing have received second telegram about chartering "Riverina." I hope substitute vessel, or, rather, vessels, may be secured, as "Ventura's" trip from Frisco should not be dropped. Whatever additional money sacrifice has to be met should be faced now without again interfering with the continuity of the service from either end so soon after the break a few weeks ago. I hope that Spreckels will now do the right thing, which will be the best in the end. [S.F. Agr. 07/24.]

No. 105. The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company (at Dunedin) to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 21st February, 1907. Replying to my cable San Francisco say that during present uncertainty they can only say that the steamers will be thoroughly reconditioned. This I should think refers only to my proposal that a steamer should be substituted for the " Ventura " to leave San Francisco on March 21st. I will be in Wellington on Sunday, or can arrive Saturday should you wish to see me on this matter. Kindly reply care Neill (Limited), Dunedin. [S.F. Agr. 07/31.]

No. 106. The Branch Manager's Office, Oceanic Steamship Company, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 21st February, 1907. Our Sydney office cable "Ventura" sailing postponed. Repairs will take three to six weeks. Matter referred to San Francisco. Reply received will advise further. Our first sailing from Auckland is March fifteenth. [S.F. Agr.;o7/29.]

No. 107. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company (at Dunedin). (Teleoram.) Wellington, 21st February, 1907. You will of course have heard that Spreckels has withdrawn "Ventura" and cancelled her sailing this month. Repairs will probably take from three to six weeks. Apparently no substitute vessel contemplated, and first sailing now from this end fifteenth March—the "Sierra's." You will find I think that public will not tolerate another break, and you may hear that because of the break Endish mails will be withdrawn until steamers prove that they are able to keep time. No need to hurry back. [S.F.'Agr. 07/31.1

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