19

F.—6

VANCOUVEE SEEVIGE.

AUCKLAND-SUVA-HONOLULU-VANCOUVER.

No. 47. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 13th July, 1914. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th ultimo [No. 89, F.-6, 1914], in reference to the late despatch of the R.M.S. " Makura " from Auckland in December last, and the delay of the vessel on the voyage to Vancouver. The explanation is satisfactory to the Department. It is regretted that there has been a delay in replying to your letter. I have, &c, F. V. Waters, Acting-Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 48. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th July, 1914. I have the honour to enclose a schedule showing the due and actual dates of arrival at Vancouver and at London of the mail-steamers which left Auckland between the 17th January and the sth June of this year. It will be observed that the steamer reached Vancouver three times on the due date, twice one day late, and once two days late, When the steamer reaches Vancouver late the fast steamer connection on the Atlantic side is missed, and consequently the mails are further delayed in reaching London. As the Department is not at present able to rely on the Vancouver time-table being adhered to, it is unable to decide whether the Vancouver or the Suez route offers the better despatch for mailmatter for the Continent of Europe. Mails are despatched from New Zealand via Vancouver and via. Suez on the same day. If the steamer reaches Vancouver on the due date, the Vancouver route is the better for mails for Europe; but if the steamer is delayed and the mail reaches London at the same time as the mail despatched via Suez, the latter route is, of course, to be preferred for mails for the Continent. I shall be glad to hear that you have made such arrangements as will, under ordinary circumstances, ensure the arrival of the steamer at Vancouver on the due date. I have, &c, F. V. Waters, Acting-Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand ("Limited), Dunedin.

Enclosure in No. 48. Schedule showing Due and Actual Dates of Arrival at Vancouver and London of Mailsteamers which left Auckland between 17th January and 5th June, 1914.

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