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burg-American Packet line left on Thursday, making a fast run and landing our mails early on the 17th (about twelve hours late). As the fast steamers of this line are now scheduled to leave on Thursdays up to the end of October, we shall have a desirable substitute in case of future delays. . . . It seems to be finally arranged now that the United States coasting laws as regards Hawaii will go into effect on the 14th of this month, which will prevent, so the Spreckelses say, the " Moana" taking either passengers or freight at Honolulu for this port, in which case Ido not see why the Union Company do not cut out the Hawaii Islands from their timetable. . . . The homeward mails ex " Mariposa " left New York by the "St. Paul" (English portion) and the "Majestic "on Saturday. The " St. Paul" is reported passing Scilly Islands early this morning, so a good contract date is assured. . . . The " Mariposa" will get away on time, I think, to-night, and the United States Customs think a clean bill of health will be given her. I have, &c, H. Stephenson Smith, Eesident Agent. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.

No. 64. The Seceetaky, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Supeeintendent of Foeeign Mails, Washington. Sic,— General Post Office, Wellington, 11th July, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th May, advising that the exchange of mails between Hawaii and this administration will be conducted on the side of the United States by the Post Office at Honolulu, in accordance with the regimen of the Universal Postal Union Convention of Washington. I have, &c, The Superintendent, W. Geay, Secretary. Office of Foreign Mails, Post Office Department, Washington, D.C.

INTEBCOLONIAL SEEVICE. SEEVICES VIA AUSTEALIA ALTEENATING WITH SAN FEANCISCO SEEYICE. No. 65. The Seceetaey, Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, to the Hon. the Postmastee-General. Sic, — Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, 25th July, 1899. The Council of this Chamber desires to bring under your notice the disadvantages under which the business community in the central parts of the colony labour as to postal communication with the United Kingdom and Europe. The chances of connecting satisfactorily with the Brindisi mail vid Australia, or with the Vancouver mail from Brisbane, are so irregular, problematical, and speculative that correspondence of any importance is practically shut up to the monthly mail vid San Francisco. My Council therefore desires to respectfully urge that arrangements should be made whereby there should be secured to this district at least a fortnightly regular reliable service—that is to say, an additional service by some quick route intermediately with the San Francisco service, thus in a measure taking the place of the service vid Vancouver which has been discontinued. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. S. Cabeoll, Secretary.

No. 66. The Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Chief Manages and Inspector, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 9th August, 1899. Befeebing to correspondence with Mr. Mills [Nos. 284 et seq., F.-6, 1899] about a connection with the Federal outward mail, Wellington to Sydney, the following question appears on to-day's Order Paper : " Mr. Duthie to ask the Postmaster-General, Whether, in view of the improbability of an early re-establishment of a fortnighty mail-service via America, the Government propose to invite public tenders, for a term of two or three years, for a weekly service between Lyttelton, Wellington, and Sydney, to connect with the Federal service at the latter port ?" As you are aware, Mr. Mills has not seen his way, so far, to arrange the service. It has been practicable, however, to connect with the outward Vancouver boats at Suva, but the steamers do not call there after this month. I now wish to learn whether your company, from next month, will provide a regular four-weekly despatch from here on the Thursday in the second week following the arrival of the Frisco mails in the colony. In other words, a steamer to leave here on Thursday, the 14th proximo, and every four weeks thereafter, connecting with the Federal mail leaving Sydney the following Tuesday, for such period as may hereafter be agreed upon. Mr. Mills, I understand, does not return to Dunedin until next week, but you may be able to advise whether it will be possible to arrange such a service.