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No. 102. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. (Telegram.) London, 12th September, 1890. " Umbeia " only certain until April. Imperial Post Office considers unsafe calculate her mails reaching San Francisco before Friday.

No. 103. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, to the Managing Dieectoe, Union Steamship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 13th December, 1890. Following just received from the Agent-General: " ' Umbria ' only certain until April. Imperial Post Office considers unsafe calculate her mails reaching San Francisco before Friday." What do you think? Although mails probably not always reach Frisco Thursday, the sailing on Thursday might be advertised in the meantime. More convenient to postpone departure of steamer than anticipate time-table date.

No. 104. The Managing Dieectoe, Union Steamship Company, to the Seceetaky, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 15th December, 1890. Cannot rely on quick transit of mails across States^in winter, but may at times arrive Thursday. Think better advertise Thursday, and can postpone departure when mails late.

No. 105. The Hon. the Peemieb to the Agext-Geneeal, London. (Telegram,) Wellington, 16th December, 1890. Have fixed Thursday Frisco sailing-day meantime. Advise Imperial Post Office.

No. 106. The Hon. E. Mitchelson to Mr. Ceeighton, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th December, 1890. Consulted Agent-General, Contractors. Thursday sailing approved. Advise Post Office.

No. 107. Mr. Gkay to the Postmastb-Geneeal, Washington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1890. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Postmaster-General, to inform you that, commencing from February next, the day of the departure of the mail-steamers from San Francisco will be altered from Saturday to the preceding Thursday. The s.s. "Umbria" having been selected for conveying the colonial mails from Queenstown to New York from January next, it has been assumed that it will be practicable for the contract-steamer to leave San Francisco on the Thursday. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, Washington. W. Geay, Secretary.

No. 108. The Secbetaby, General Post Office, to the Managing Dieectoe, Union Steamship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd December, 1890. Ceeighton cables yesterday: "Make Sydney sailings Mondays, beginning January, saving three days." Presume this with object connecting with fast steamer from New York. Means a Saturday departure from Auckland. Have you had any advice ?

No. 109. Mr" Geay to Mr. Ceeighton, San Francisco. Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, 27th December, 1890. I have the honour to enclose herewith copy of a cablegram intimating approval of your suggestion to despatch the mail-steamers from San Francisco on Thursday, in the place of Saturday. 7—F. -I.