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No. 60. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, T. and G. Mutual Life Assurance Society, Melbourne. Sir, — '. ' General Post Office, Wellington, sth September, 1907. W]Referring|to my letter of the 26th ultimo, in reply to yours of the 9th idem suggesting an improvement in the mail-service between Melbourne and Bluff I beg to inform you that the matter was brought under the notice of the Union Steam Ship Company, a copy of whose reply I attach hereto for your information. Apparently, can be done at present in the matter. I have, &c, J. McK. Henry, Bsq., l 'General*Manager,':*- D. Robertson, Secretary. T. and G. Mutual Life Assurance Society (Limited), Melbourne. [Suez Conn. 07/213.]

No. 61. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, 10th September, 1907. Sir, — Wellington-Sydney Mail-service. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 2nd instant, advising that the Auckland Chamber of Commerce" has represented that it would be a considerable convenience if the steamer for Sydney left Wellington after the arrival of the Friday mail-train from the north, and asking whether it would be practicable to arrange an 8 p.m. sailing for the faster steamers. While we are anxious to meet the wishes of the Department in every possible way, we beg to point out that an 8 p.m. sailing, even in the case of the faster steamers, would be liable to jeopardize the connection in case of bad weather, and, as the hour of sailing of the slower boats employed in the running could not be extended, the regularity of the service would be impaired. We would suggest for your consideration that it is advisable to adhere to the present hour of sailing—viz., 4 p.m. I have, &c, I). A. * Aiken, for General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. [Suez Conn. 07/221.]

No. 62. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 11th September, 1907. Sorry to report " Monowai " missed connection yesterday. Our advices sent from Sydney last night were that she had not arrived, and that a heavy was blowing, which apparently accounted for the delay. [Suez Conn. 07/218.]

No. 63. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. . (Telegram.) lth September, 1907. When did " Monowai " arrive ? What caused delay;? [Suez Conn. 07/219.]

No. 64. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 11th September, 1907. " Monowai " not yet sighted. [Suez Conn. 07/220.]

No. 65. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 12th September, 1907. As no sign " Monowai " six this fear she must have broken down, and we are therefore making arrangements send out steamers to look for her. [Suez Conn. 07/220.]