P.—6

22

kind which may occur hereafter to have full information given to this office at once concerning the origin, destination, and character of the trans-Pacific mails so delayed, and will immediately wire your office full information, so that you can take what action is necessary." The arrangement Superintendent West has made would seem to cover any future irregularities that may occur in this division. However, to secure uniform action all the way from New York to San Francisco, I have forwarded the papers in this case to General-Superintendent White for such action as he may desire to take. Yours, &c, H. P. Thkall, Superintendent. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 57. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 16th May, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th April. I note what you have done, as disclosed by the copy of correspondence forwarded, with the view of obviating detention of the mail-steamers at San Francisco in cases where the mails may miss connection at any point between New York and San Francisco. It is also noted that the delay to the mails, which took place at Chicago on the 18th March, was due to a train accident. I have, &c, W. Gbay, Secretary. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Eesident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 58. The Supeeintendent of Foeeign Mails, Washington, to the Postmasteb-General, Wellington. Post Office Department, Sib,— Office of Foreign Mails, Washington, D.0., ]7th May, 1900. I nave the honour, by direction of the Postmaster-General, to inform you that on and after the 14th June, 1900, the exchange of mails between your administration and Hawaii will be conducted on the side of the United States by the post-office at Honolulu as an exchange postoffice of this department. The exchange will be conducted in accordance with the regimen of the Universal Postal Convention of Washington, and the mails for the office of Honolulu should be made up in accordance with the pi - actice now in vogue by your administration as regards mails for Hawaii. I have, &c, N. M. Bbooks, Superintendent of Foreign Mails. The Postmaster-General, Wellington.

No. 59. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 18th May, 1900. In the matter of your letter of the 21st March last, I have the honour to refer to that portion advising that, among other mails, ten bags of newspapers for Australia were delayed, and that the " Mariposa " proceeded to sea without them. I now learn from Mr. Isbister's report that the delayed mails included two bags from New York for Auckland, and no mail matter for Australia. I have, &c, W. Gbay, Secretary. H. Stephenson Smith, Esq., Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco.

No. 60. The Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 21st May, 1900. Spbeckels cables navigation laws will be carried into effect 10th June. Presume from this Hawaiian Bill has passed Congress.

No. 61. The Secbetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 22nd May, 1900. Yes, the Hawaiian Bill would seem to have passed, the original clause postponing for one year the time for applying the United States coasting laws to Hawaii being struck out. See my telegram to you of the Bth instant [not printed]. I have wired copy of your message to Hon. Mr. Ward, now on his way to Dunedin. Suggest you see him.