F.—6.

International Steamship Company was good enough to detain at your request the s.s. " New York," in order that mails might connect with her. The department was much gratified on learning of the consideration shown by the International Company, which evidently prevented a serious delay to our mails at New York. As you suggested, a letter of thanks has been sent to the company from this office, a copy of which I attach hereto. The department also owes you its thanks for your action in the matter. I have, &c, The Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. W. Gray, Secretary.

No. 37. The International Navigation Company, Philadelphia, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. International Navigation Company, Office of the President, Sir,— 305, Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 20th April, 1897. I am obliged for your communication of the 2nd of March. It will always gratify this company to facilitate the despatch of Australasian mails for Europe from New York whenever it is possible to do so. Believe me, &c, W. Gray, Esq., Clement A. Griscom, Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand. President.

No. 38. The Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, London. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 26th May, 1897. I have the honour to inform you that the Mail Agent of the R.M.S. "Monowai" reports that the mails for Australasia which left Liverpool by the s.s. "Britannic" on the 14th ultimo did not reach San Francisco until twelve hours after those forwarded by the s.s. " Umbria " three days later, thus delaying the departure of the " Monowai." It was ascertained that the " Britannic's " mails were detained on the overland journey across the United States of America by a wash-out on the railway, having been sent by a different route from those by the "Umbria." As it has previously happened that mails sent from Liverpool have arrived at San Francisco after those despatched later, I should be glad to learn that it is possible to arrange for forwarding the first instalment of mails by steamers leaving Liverpool earlier than those at present used. Such an arrangement would obviate a recurrence of any delay similar to that under notice, and would also be a convenience to the Mail Agent, enabling him to deal with the heavier portion of the mail before leaving San Francisco. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. For the Postmaster-General.

No. 39. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 28th May, 1897. In September last I understand the United States Congress had included in the Appropriation Bill for that year a grant in aid of the Oceanic Steamship Company in its performance of the New Zealand mail-service. This appropriation appears not to have been sanctioned. I should be very glad if you could furnish me with information, especially copies of any documents or any convention showing the effect of any recent legislation of the United States Congress whereby the subsidy for the San Francisco mail-service is increased. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company For the Secretary, of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 40. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 9th June, 1897. , I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 28th ultimo, inquiring re the increased subsidy voted by the United States Government for the performance of the New

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