F.—6b

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danger in the bay from torpedoes. As lam unable to definitely ascertain the truth or otherwise of the statement, I shall feel much obliged if you will inform, me whether the " Aurania " was detained as reported, and, if so, whether it was from the cause indicated. I have, &c, The Superintendent, W. Geay, Office of Foreign Mails, Post Office Department, "Washington, D.C. Secretary.

No. 17. The Sbceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Mail Agent, E.M.S. "Aorangi." General Post Office, Wellington, 28th September, 1898. The Mail Agent, E.M.S. " Aorangi." I enclose an extract from a letter [see No. 27, F.-6a, 1898, para. 6] from Mr. H. Stephenson Smith, Eesident Agent at San Francisco, who recently travelled over the mail route between Vancouver and New York to ascertain where the delays to the homeward Australasian mails were occurring. Will you be good enough to submit the extract to the railway authorities at Vancouver and learn their views on the proposal to accelerate the departure of the Soo train from Moose Jaw ? W, Gbay, Secretary.

No. 18. The Secretaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Postmaster, Vancouver. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 3rd October, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that the manager of the railway company at Vancouver approached the Mail Agent by the last voyage of the " Aorangi," for the purpose of endeavouring to arrange that the first portion of the mail from the United Kingdom for Australasia might be detained at New York, or en route, and brought on with the main portion of the mails. As it is of very great advantage to the Mail Agent in the performance of his duties to receive a portion of the mails in advance, I should feel obliged if you would communicate with the railway company and request that the existing arrangement be not disturbed. I have, &c, W. Gray, The Postmaster, Vancouver, B.C. Secretary. Approximate. Cost of i'a^er.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,475 copies), £3 15s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9B. Price (id.}