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No. 47. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand. San Francisco. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 6th November, 1912. In reference to your letter of the 29th August last, on the subject of the detention of the mail-steamer at San Francisco beyond forty-eight hours if necessary, I have the honour to inform you that the Union Steam Ship Company has agreed to the detention of the steamer, to await the arrival of the overland mails under exceptional circumstances, on receipt by its San Francisco agents of a written request from you, whether or not they have received advice from their head office in the Dominion. The agents have been instructed to explain by cable message the reason for any such detention, and the period thereof. I have, &c, D. Eobertson, Secretary. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Kesident Agent for New Zealand, 311 California Street, San Francisco, CaL, U.S.A. l\Vn.-S.F. 12/207.]

No. 48. The Resident Agent fob Nkw Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary. General Post Office. Wellington. Resident Agency for New Zealand, Sir, — 311 California Stre.et, San Francisco, Bth January, 1913. 1 have the honour to report that, in consequence of the heavy storm caging in this country, [ have been compelled to serve notice upon the agents of the Union Steam Ship Company in this city m delay the departure of the contract mail-steamship " Moana " until 5 p.m. this day, in order to connect the through mails destined to the Dominion with that vessel (copy of notice enclosed). I am now advised that in all probability the Overland Limited will reach this city by 4 p.m., so I trust the " Aloana "will be enabled to sail at the extended hour. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent for the Dominion of New Zealand. The Secretary, Genenil Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand. [Acknowledged, 30th January, 1913. j [Wn.-K.F. IS/*. J Enclosure in No. 48. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Agents, Union Steam Ship Company, San Francisco. Resident Agency for New Zealand, Gentlemen, — 311 California Street, San Francisco, Bth January, 1913. I have the honour to inform you that I am in receipt of advices to the effect that some 250 bags of mail destined to the Dominion of New Zealand from Kurope have at this hour and date failed to arrive here. The earliest date at which same can be received will be 3.30 this day, from present advices. Therefore you are requested to delay the departure from this port of the R.M.S. " Moana " until 5 p.m. this day, or until such later hour ot day that may be necessary to secure a connection with that steamer. This notice is given under the provisions of the existing contract for the conveyance of mails from this city to the Dominion (clause No. 10), and by the authority of the subsequent arrangements entered into between the Dominion Government and the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. You will be duly advised from time to time of the progress of the delayed mails towards this city, so that as little delay as is possible shall occur. 1 have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent for the Dominion of New Zealand. Messrs. Hind, Rolph, and Co., Agents for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, San Francisco. [Wn.-S.F. 13/ I.]