F.—6.

The addition to the line of the R.M.S. " Aorangi" has, of course, greatly increased our expenditure, and we are looking to New Zealand for a substantial subsidy, or its equivalent in poundage, for mails to be carried ; but, in order that the Canadian route shall compare favourably with the San Francisco route, it will be necessary to accelerate the carriage of mails by rail from the Atlantic to the Pacific at the outset; and until Canada has its own fast Atlantic service it would seem to be absolutely necessary that letters from England for New Zealand and Australasia, vid Canada, should be sent via New York, and from that point take the shortest mileage to Vancouver, irrespective of the point at which the mails would first touch Canadian territory. This acceleration of mails across the Continent of America to Vancouver is of vital importance to the Canadian route. Awaiting your reply, I have, &c, The Hon. Sir Richard Cartwright, James Huddart. Minister of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa.

No. 60. The Acting Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Sydney, 10th June, 1897. I am directed to intimate that arrangements have been made by the Canadian-Australian Royal Mail Steamship Company under which a third steamer, the s.s. " Aorangi," will be regularly employed, in conjunction with the s.s. " Miowera " and s.s. " Warrimoo," in the steam mailservice between Sydney and Vancouver; and, commencing with the departure of the s.s " Aorangi " from this port on the 19th proximo, the service will be four-weekly instead of monthly. It has been arranged by the contractor, and sanctioned by the Postmaster-General of New South Wales, that for the present, and pending consideration of the question of a subsidy from New Zealand to the line, the steamers will call at Wellington en route. The time-table submitted by the contractor provides for a fortnightly service alternating, as far as is at present practicable, with the San Francisco service. I am to enclose for your information a copy of the table, and to add that so soon as it is printed a supply will be forwarded for the use of your office [see enclosure in No. 61]. I have, &c, J. Dalgarno, Acting Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand.

No 61. The Acting Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, Postal and Electric Telegraph Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Sydney, 15th June, 1897. In fulfilment of the promise made in my communication to you dated the 10th instant, I have the honour to forward herewith a supply of the new time-table of the Canadian-Australian Steamship Company, to come into force on the 19th proximo. I have, &c, J. Dalgarno, Acting Deputy Postmaster-General. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 61. Ocean Mail-service viâ Vancouver.—New Time-table of the Canadian-Australian Steamship Line, 1897. Sydney to London.

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Name of Steamer. Leaves Sydney, Monday. Leaves Wellington, Saturday. Leaves Leaves Suva, Honolulu, Thursday, Friday. Leaves Victoria, Friday. Due Vancouver, Saturday. Mails due London, Saturday. 'Aorangi" ' Warrimoo " ' Miowera" ' Aorangi " ' Warrimoo " July 19 Aug. 16 Sept. 13 Oct. 11 Nov. 8 July 24 Aug. 21 Sept. 18 Oct. 16 Nov. 13 July 29 Aug. 6 Aug. 26 Sept. 3 Sept. 23 Oct. 1 Oct. 21 ! Oct. 29 Nov. 18 - Nov. 26 Aug. 13 Sept. 10 Oct. 8 Nov. 5 Dec. 8 Aug. 14 Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov. 6 Dec. 4 1898. Aug. 28 Sept. 25 Oct. 23 Nov. 20 Dec. 18 1898. Jan. 15 ' Miowera " Dec. 6 Dec. 11 Dec. 16 Dec. 24 Dec. 31 Jan. 1