P.—6

14

Enclosure in No. 34. The Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, to the Hon. the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Wellington. Sir, — Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, 25th September, 1912. 1 am directed by my Council to bring under your notice the matter of the facilities for trade between Wellington and Rarotonga. At the present time Rarotonga is served from Wellington by the San Francisco mail-steamers. Wellington merchants have complained to my Chamber of the great disadvantage at which they are placed owing to the steamer stopping at Rarotonga for a few hours only. This often necessitates cargo being carried on to Tahiti, to await transhipment to Rarotonga from there. As a consequence, what outward trade Wellington has with Rarotonga is fast disappearing, the service rendering it practically impossible for merchants here to retain their trade, as business men in Rarotonga are unwilling to undertake the risk of uncertain delivery, owing to the fact that the Wellington steamer cannot be relied on always to receive or deliver goods. My Chamber would respectfully urge that steps should be taken to ensure that the mail-steamer waits long enough in Rarotonga to discharge all cargo, and I was instructed to write asking your assistance to attain this end. I have, &c, H. D. Vickery, Secretary. The Hon. the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Wellington. [Wn.-B.F. 12/10.5. ]

No. 35. The Chief Postmaster, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 11th October, 1912. Railway advise two miles of slips on line between Horopito and Ohakune. Cannot yet give any idea when trains likely get through. Inquiring whether mails can get over the gap by traps. The Frisco mail outward on board. No boat for New Plymouth till Sunday. Am inquiring if any small boat available. [Wn.-S.F. 12/184.]

No. 36. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Chief Postmaster, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th October, 1912. It looks as if only solution of difficulty were for " Aorangi " to call at Auckland. Will advise you presently whether this can be arranged. If so, mails can be turned back where they are. [Wn.-S.F. 12/184.]

No. 37. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th October, 1912. Bad break on railway-line between Taumarunui and Ohakune. Apparently little prospect of getting anything through for some time. Still raining very heavily. As Auckland-San Francisco mails, and no doubt number of passengers, on board train, best solution seems to be for " Aorangi " to leave here promptly to-night and call at Auckland. Kindly wire mc your views urgent. [Wn.-S.F. 12/184.]

No. 38. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 11th October, 1912. As Auckland is only 160 miles nearer Rarotonga than Wellington, " Aorangi " would be just as far ahead if it does not get away from Wellington even until Sunday morning. Presume every chance mails coming through before then. Cost of deviating to Auckland would be considerable. We have advised Wellington office. Please keep in touch with them. [Wn.-S.F. 12/189.]