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No. 134 The Branch Manager, Oceanic Steamship Company (at Sydney), to the Secretary, General Post . ... . . Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) ■ . Sydney, 19th March, 1907. " Ventura." Trial trip is very satisfactory. Average speed per hour about sixteen miles. Will sail to-day, one o'clock p.m. Am passenger. [S.F. Agr. 07/88.] ' '

No. 135. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 22nd March, 1907. I have the honour to supplement the information I gave you on the Bth instant [No. 128], which you acknowledged on the 15th, by reporting that the Secretary to the Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, now replies that it was assumed that no call would be made upon the contracting Governments for assistance in making payment for the diversion of the " Moana " to New Zealand, and that in the circumstances the Commonwealth Government does not see its way to forgo its claim or to ask the Canadian Government to do so. I have, &c, D. Robertson, for Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [P.O. 06/1774.1 L_

No. 136. The High Commissioner to the Hon. the Acting Prime Minister. (Telegram.) London, 23rd March, 1907. # * * * * * * * *. Imperial Post Office decided to put a stop to despatch of mails via San Francisco. [Suez Conn. 07/86.)

No. 137. The Officer in Charge, Telegraph Office, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 23rd March, 1907. Arrived, 8.20 p.m., "Ventura," from Sydney. [P.O. 07/1084.]

No. 138. The Officer in Charge, Telegraph Office, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 25th March, 1907. Sailed, 3 a.m., "Ventura," Honolulu. [B.F. Agr. 07/101.]

No. 139. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. ~ . Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, Sir,— 25th March, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of 22nd instant, reporting that the Secretary of the Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, now replies that it was assumed no call would be made on the contracting Governments for assistance in making payment for the deviation of the " Moana " to New Zealand, and that, in the circumstances, the Commonwealth Government does not see its way to forgo its claim, or to ask the Canadian Government to do so. We are sorry that the Postmaster-General's Department of the Commonwealth has taken up this position; but, at the same time, would ask you to accept our thanks for having approached it on the matter. I have, &c, D. A. Aiken, for General Manager, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, [P.O. 06/1774.] __