F.—6

50

We would point out that (hough the arrangement under which we undertook to despatch the " Wainui " to New Plymouth with her cargo undischarged fell through, owing to the nonarrival of the " Sonoma " on Saturday, we instructed our Auckland office to hold the " Wainui " until the latest possible hour on Sunday night in readiness for despatch at the earliest possible moment after arrival of the mail, and though as it subsequently happened the mail could have been despatched by the " Rarawa," sailing on Sunday afternoon, we consider we are entitled to a reasonable remuneration for the services of the "Wainui," inasmuch as she was at the option of the Department from Saturday morning until Sunday night, and in place of sailing at daylight on Sunday morning was despatched at midday with the mail. I have, &c, D. A. Aiken, for (General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [P.O. 06/2867(1).]

No. 227. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 9th October, 1906. Detention of " Wainui " at Onchunga for Inward San Francisco Mail in August last. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th ultimo, detailing the circumstances under which the " Wainui " was detained at Onehunga for the San Francisco mail, and asking for some remuneration for the detention, notwithstanding that it would have been possible to send the mails by the " Rarawa," which sailed on the same afternoon as the " Wainui." In reply, I have to inform you that the Minister, after taking into consideration the fact that the " Wainui " was held at the Department's option, has decided to authorise a payment of £25 for the detention of that steamer on the 26th August. A voucher for this amount will be prepared and passed for payment in the usual course. I have, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [P.O. 06/2857(1).]

No. 228. The General Manager, Railway Department, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Memorandum.) Railway Department, Wellington, 6th December, 1906. Special Trains for San Francisco Mails. ********* The present practice as already pointed out [No. 97, F.-6a, 1906] is to attach carriages to through specials, but there are instances where the specials carrying mails overtake goods trains by which the mails are brought on to destination. These latter trains occupy a considerable time iii doing the journey, having to shunt at all stations en route, and they are invariably heavilyloaded and unsuitable for conveyance of passengers. The steamer people are making a great deal too much out of the chance of the steamer missing the connection when delayed for Frisco mail, as there are other occasions during the year when their boats miss the train, but the companies do not on those occasions manifest any great anxiety to arrange at their own cost special trains to take passengers on to destination. They invariably content themselves by asking that a special train be run for the convenience of the passengers, but not at the cost of the company. It ia not the practice to run trains in such cases unless the number of passengers is sufficient to justify that course, and this is rarely the case. This Department cannot undertake to provide special trains where steamers fail to connect with mail train ; but where your Department pays for a special train through to Wellington, cars will be attached for the conveyance of passengers who may desire to come through by train. Where, however, the special merely runs to a station to overtake a goods train, the conveyance of passengers cannot be undertaken. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. T. Ronayne, General Manager. I [P.O. 00/054.]

No. 229. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th December, 1906. Postmaster-General has intimated to Oceanic Company that he would not be prepared to renew Frisco service in terms resolutions of House of Representatives until it be seen whether mail delivery is more reliable. Presume your company do not object to carry on coastal service from month to month meanwhile. [P.O. 00/054.]