F.— 6a

4

INCIDENTS OF UNITED STATES AND ATLANTIC TRANSIT. ETC, No. 4. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Prime Minister. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir, — 13th April, 1905. I beg leave to direct your special attention to the fact that the homeward mails vid San Francisco are seldom delivered in London on the due date. This has been more especially the ease as regards the mails arriving within the last three or four months. On three occasions they were not delivered until the Tuesday after the Saturday on which they were due, and twice not until the Thursdaj' after. I need scarcely say that this delay is the source of much inconvenience and loss, from a business point of view, to the shipping, banking, and other interests. Although the Post Office authorities in New Zealand are no doubt fully aware of these irregularities, and anxious to do everything possible to obviate them, I feel it my duty to specially bring them under your notice. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Reeves.

No. 5. Mr. V. A. Spkoul, Auckland, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 31st May, 1905. Proceeding Frisco, " Ventura." If I can be of service, please command me.

No. 6. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Mr. Sproul, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd June, 1905. Thanks. The only matter I would like you to deal with is that of the arrival of the steamers at Frisco in time for the morning east-bound train. As you know, this is absolutely essential for the regular delivery of the mails in London. The irregularities have been many and vexatious, and London merchants are, as you are probably aware, up in arms. I would like you to see our Resident Agent, Mr. Stephenson Smith, whom I am advising of your visit to Frisco. I trust that your visit will result in a decided improvement in the service ....

No. 7. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Resident Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco. (Telegram.) Wellington, 2nd June, 1905. * * * Mr. Sproul, passenger agent for Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, proceeds to Frisco by outgoing steamer. I have urged him to prevail on Spreckels to see that steamers invariably arrive in time for morning train for New York. He is aware of the late arrivals of Frisco mail in London and dissatisfaction of merchants and others at the repeated irregularities. I trust that something satisfactory may come of his visit, and that there will be no further cause for complaint in the delivery of mails in London. I was very pleased to learn that the " Sonoma " arrived at 8 o'clock on Monday morning last, which I hope may result in her mails reaching London on time

No. 8. Extract from Report of the Mail Agent, R.M.S. " Sierra," to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, dated sth June, 1905 . From the Ist May, the time by rail between San Francisco and Chicago has been accelerated one hour. The " Overland Limited " train, which formerly left San Francisco at 10 a.m., now leaves at 11 a.m. The extra hour has been gained by despatching , a train from San Francisco at 9 a.m, which stops at all stations between San Francisco and Ogden. The Overland, leaving two hours later, now stops at principal stations only between San Francisco and Ogden.