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change in the sailing date. Under the proposed alteration, the steamers on this side would leave Plymouth on Monday, and I am communicating with Her Majesty's Postmaster-General to obtain his assent to the change. I should be much obliged if you would lay this matter before your Board, as my Government are desirous of receiving information by cable at the earliest moment possible of your Board's assent. I am, &c, The Manager, Shaw-Savill and Albion Company, F. D. Bell. 38, Leadenhall Street, E.G., and The Manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, 134, Leadenhall Street, E.G.

Enclosure 2 in No. 133. The Manager, Now Zealand Shipping Company, to the Agent-General. Sib,— 138, Leadenhall Street, 19th February, 1891. I beg to acknowledge your letter of the 19th instant, and to enclose copy of cable message received to-day from the colony re alteration in days of departure of mail steamers. I will bring the matter before my Board as early as possible ; but the days for embarkation of mails having been fixed after .much consideration with regard to the services to be performed, any alteration, we fear, would be productive of much inconvenience, especially to passengers embarking at Plymouth. The request of the Postmaster-General for the Colony will, however, be fully considered by the Board, with every desire to meet his wishes, and its decision communicated to you. I am, &c, 0. E. Strickland, Manager.

Bub-enclosure in Enclosure 2 in No. 133. Copy of Cablegram received from Christchurch Office, 19th February, 1891. The Agent-General for New Zealand, 13, Victoria Street. " Jointly with Shaw-Savill and Albion Company agreed to despatch Homeward Saturday, instead of Thursday. Postmaster-General for New Zealand desires alter dates of despatch Monday colony and Plymouth. See Agent-General cable your views."

Enclosure 3 in No. 133. The Manages, Shaw-Savill and Albion Company, to the Agent-Generali. Deab Sik,— 34, Leadenhall Street, 19th February, 1891. We are in receipt of your communication of this date with reference to the proposed alteration in the sailing-dates for the Direct mail-steamers to and from New Zealand, and shall have pleasure in laying the matter before the Board of Directors of this Company on as early a date as possible. Meanwhile we may say that we fear it would be most disadvantageous to this Company to extend the period of the stay of the steamers in the colony (seeing it would be equally undesirable to alter the date of departure from here), as it would proportionately shorten the time at our disposal in London, which, with the labour, &c, difficulties we have to contend with, is now barely sufficient for effecting the necessary docking, repairs, and outfit each voyage. We may also point out that the alteration of the departure of the steamers from Plymouth to Monday instead of Saturday would be most inconvenient for passengers, necessitating as it would their travelling to Plymouth on Sunday, and this, we fear, would have a most prejudicial effect on the passenger business of the lines. We are, &c, Shaw-Savill and Albion Company, J. A. Pottee, Manager. The Agent-General for New Zealand, 13, Victoria Street, S.W.

No. 134. The Hon. P. A. Buckley to the Agent-General, London. Slß,— General Post Office, Wellington, 14th April, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st February last, with copy of correspondence enclosed, on the subject of the sailing-day for the Direct steamers. I have now to inform you that it is intended not to move further in the matter, but to accept Saturday as the day of departure from London and Plymouth during the currency of the present temporary contract. I have, &c, P. A. Buckley, For the Postmaster-General. Sir F. D. Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., Agent-General for New Zealand, London.