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No. 53. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 27th August, 1914. Ahout seventeen and a half days.

No. 54. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 27th August, 1914. On what ground is privilege dropping " Marama " being asked?

No. 55. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th August, 1914. Dropping " Marama " : In consequence " Tahiti " and " Maunganui," two of Union Company's largest steamers, being taken national purposes, accelerated service Vancouver proposed in order maintain regular four-weekly communication at increased cost to company. Note Vancouver dates unaltered.

No. 56. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, 29th August, 1914. In view of fact that proposed change in Vancouver service will prohibit eastern Canada from answering letters by same steamer as received, answers must go by San Francisco following week. This could be done by present schedule from San Francisco. Will present, schedule be maintained ?

No. 57. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa. (Telegram.) Wellington, 31st August, 1914. Present schedule from San Francisco and Vancouver to be maintained.

No. 58. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Ottawa, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Ottawa, Ist September, 1914. Canada agrees withdrawal " Marama " temporarily. [Union Company informed 2nd September.]

No. 59. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Genkrai. Manager Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 9th September, 1914. In reference to the excess of eighty-five hours over the contract time of the time occupied by the " Niagara " on the voyage from Vancouver to Auckland, which ended on the 30th ultimo, I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that as the delay was occasioned by the state of war, and not by circumstances over which your company had any control, the penalty for exceeding the contract time will not be levied. I have, &c, F. V. Waters, Acting-Secretary , The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [Acknowledged, 15th September.] [P. & T. 36/B.]