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No. 31.

The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir, — Dunedin, 22nd February, 1915. Some time ago we wrote to you on the subject of mails arriving late in London though landed by our steamers on the Pacific coast quite up to time. For instance, I beg to refer to our letters of the 20th March [not printed] and 9th April, 1913 [see No. 1, F.-6, 1914]. I enclose an extract [not printed] from the Otago Daily Times of Wednesday last regarding the mails by the " Marama " which arrived in London eight days late, although, as a matter of fact, the " Marama " arrived in San Francisco on Wednesday morning, 27th January, half a day ahead of her due time. There have been quite a number of similar notices in the Press, and we fear they will give the public a wrong impression of irregularity of the steamer service to San Francisco. To remove this impression we will be very much obliged if you can arrange that when these mails arrive at Vancouver, or San Francisco, as the case may be, on time, this be mentioned in the notification to the public regarding their arrival in London. I have, &c, R. MoK. McLennan, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For General Manager. [Replied, Ist March, that it would be arranged as desired.] [P. 4.T. 36/41.]

No. 32. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 22nd February, 1915. Following our telegram Saturday [No. 30], San Francisco agents confirm " Marama " sails 24th. [P. & T. 36/20.]

No. 33. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd February, 1915. " Marama " had better call at Auckland as avoiding a delay of several days in delivery of the mail and allowing her to leave Sydney again on time-table date.

No. 34. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 22nd February, 1915. Referring your telegram this morning : Please arrange free harbour dues into and out of Auckland and we will instruct " Marama " call. Understood, of course, that she will thus earn subsidy for south-bound trip. Reply.

No. 35. The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Sir, — Resident Agency for New Zealand, San Francisco, 23rd February, 1915. I have the honour to forward for your information a communication received from the General Superintendent, of the Railway Mail-service at, Washington in connection with the serious delay occasioned to the mails for the Dominion for despatch by the R.M.S. " Moana " on the 6th January, 1915. The explanation of this irregularity does not appeal to me as satisfactory. The dispensing with the services at Chicago of the entire office force on account of the inconvenience of office renovation does not seem to be in keeping with a business institution of the importance and magnitude of its operations. I have expressed my dissatisfaction in a communication (copy enclosed) sent in reply to the Superintendent's letter. The measures, if any, adopted to prevent, a recurrence of similar irregularities have not been disclosed, nor is any mention made of the financial loss to the Dominion Government by the forced delay of the R.M.S. " Moana " at this port. I should be pleased to have your views upon this whole matter, and copy of correspondence had with Washington if any direct communication is made. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Resident Agent for Dominion of New Zealand. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

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