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No. 18. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist, February, 1,915. Resident Agent, San Francisco, telegraphs.: "'Marama': Temporary repairs will delay four days. If permanent ordered 1 propose sending mails Vancouver, Instruct." "Marama " due leave San Francisco 3rd February, and " Niagara " to leave Vancouver 17th February. Therefore if repairs will occupy only four days it would be better to keep mails for "Marama" at, San Francisco. 1 shall be glad to know whether you have any information about length of time repairs will take, so that Department may be able to arrive at decision as to disposal of mails.

No. 19. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, Ist February, 1915. Youk telegram received. Our agents just cabled that examination' " Marama " in dock shows damage so extensive that, in our opinion advisable complete repairs there estimated occupy twenty-four days, working double shifts. Agents do not suggest temporary repairs, but we reckon would occupy more than f|iur days with risk that completion required this end might delay departure Ist April from AVellington. We are in communication with our- agents, and will telegraph you as soon as decided what is best course.

No. 20. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company. Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 3rd February, 1915. Have decided effect permanent repairs " Marama " San Francisco. Regret damage much greater than anticipated. Expect despatch from Frisco not later than 25th to Sydney direct, bui will call Papeete if necessary relieve pressure on "Maitai." Should reach Sydney about 18th March to take time-table date.

No. 21. The Secretary, General Post Office. Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd February, 1915. Send mails Vancouver.

No. 22. The Sborhtart, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 3rd February, 1915. Have instructed Resident Agent, San Francisco, to send " Marama's " mails by way of Vancouver. Public of New Zealand will, of course, be looking for mails via San Francisco on due date, and I propose to notify through newspapers that owing to repairs to " Marama " at San Francisco mails have been diverted by way of Vancouver, and consequently will not arrive in New Zealand until fifteen days after due date. Before doing so, however, I should like to have expression of opinion from you on the matter.

No. 23. The General Manager,, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 4th February, 1915. We are informing Press owing "Marama" grounding slightly when entering Port San Francisco not ready sail 3rd, and mails are being forwarded via Vancouver, but that " Marama " will reach Sydney in time leave there 27th March as time-tabled.