11

P.—6

Will, however, look into this. If you wish to know what Auckland fruit-importers think about matter, you might think it worth while to ascertain views of Mr. Glover, M.P., who is largely interested in Rarotonga fruit trade.

No. 23. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd December. 1909. Pending other arrangements under discussion, present Wellington-Tahiti service is to be extended for four trips from beginning of year. Rate of subsidy as at present.

No. 24. The Hon. the Postmaster-General. Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,- General Post Office. Wellington. 23rd December. L 909. I have the honour to inform you that arrangements have been made for the extension of the Wellington Tahiti mail-service for connection with the Tahiti- San Francisco service up to May next at least. The first mail under the new arrangement will be despatched from Wellington on the 4th January. I attach a draft time-table hereto [see enclosure in No. 26.] I have, rfcc, D. Robertson, for the Postmaster-General. The Secretary. General Post Office, London.

No. 25. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. (Telegram.) Wellington. 23rd December. 1909. [NPORM Post Office Wellington Tahiti service extended. Time-table follows.

No. 26. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington. The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited). Sir, Dunedin, 29th December, 1909. I have the pleasure to acknowledge due receipt of your telegram of the 23rd instant to Sn James Mills, reading as follows : | Vide No. 23]. I now therefore submit a memorandum of the time-table we propose to maintain for the four trips, based on the latest information we have of the running of the " Mariposa.'" which Messrs. Spreckels advised us will adhere to the same dates as in 1909, up to and including the sailing on 2lst May from San Francisco. As soon as the same receives your approval, we shall circulate copies to our offices, with instructions re advertising. I have, &c. R. McK. McLennan, for General Manager. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

Enclosure in No. 26. Proposed Time-table of Wellington-Papeete Connection in San Francisco Service. Outwards from 4th January to 21st April, 1910.

r i Mails leave Sydney - Auckland ' Auckland ' Wellington ''.. Transfer to Island steamer Rarotonga Rarotonga Papeete I Arrive .. I Depart .. Arrive . . Depart .. Arrive . . Depart .. Arrive .. December. February. March. April. Wed. 29* Wed. 2* Sat. 12f; Sat. 16| January. : Sun. " 2 Sun. 6 Mon. 3 Mon. 7 Tues. 4 Tues. 8 Wed. 16 Wed. 20 Tues. 1 Tues. 8 Wed. 16 Thurs. 21 Mon. I" Mon. II Tues. 22 Wed. 27 Mon. 10 Mon. 14 Tues. 22 Wed. 27 Thurs. 13 Thurs. 17 Fri. 25 S,at. 30 May. Thurs. 13 ' Fri. 18 Sat. 26 Sun. ' 1 March April Tues. 25 ! Wed. 2 Thurs. 7 Fri. 13 Transfer to Spreckels's steamer Depart .. San Francisco Arrive .. * Via Auckland and Main Trunk line. tB, direct steamer.