F.—6

36

No. 109. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 22nd August, 1912. I have the honour to refer to my letter of the 22nd June, 1910 [No. 68, F.-6, 1910], notifying the renewal of the Wellington-Sydney mail-service from month to month from the 25th July, 1910, and to inform you thai the Government Las authorized the continuance of the service from month to month subject to the provisions of the last contract. If your company agrees to this. I shall be glad of your formal acceptance. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Suez Conn. 12/73.]

No. 110. The Assistant General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 30th August, 1912. I am in receipt of your favour of the 22nd instant, intimating that the Government ha* authorized the continuance of the Wellington-Sydney mail-service from month to month, subject to the provisions of the last contract, and have pleasure in advising that these terms have been accepted by my directors. [ have, &c, D. A. AIKEN, The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington. Assistant General Manager. [Sara Conn. 12/75.]"

No. 111. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 24th September, 1912. Received wireless from " Manuka." Expects reach Sydney midnight. No particulars yet, but have no doubt delay due to heavy westerly gales. To ensure leaving Wellington to time, we worked heavy overtime all ports, but owing refusal wharf labourers Lyttelton to commence work 3 a.m., vessel experienced delay there, and heavy rain Wellington Friday also interfered work. [Suez Conn. 12/90.]

No. 112. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 25th September, 1912. Sydney advise " Manuka " delay due very heavy weather. [Suez Conn. 12

No. 113. The Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. (Telegram.) . Wellington, 25th September 1912 Suez despatch twentieth missed. Will go by Orsova. i. 12/78.]

No. 114. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir. General Post Office, Wellington, 25th September, 1912. 1 have the honour to refer to the late arrival at Sydney of the-s.s. " Manuka " on the voyage commenced at Wellington on the 20th instant at 8 p.m., and shall be glad to have any reasons you may have to offer why the penalty for late arrival provided for in the contract should not be enforced. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin lHuet Conn. 12/77.]