F.—6a

2

SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

CONTRACT WITH THE OCEANIC COMPANY, ETC.

No. 1. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Chief Postmasters. (Telegram.) Wellington, Bth May, 1906. There will be no steamer from Auckland for San Francisco on 25th instant, and none on 15th June. Service from San Francisco will be resumed by steamer leaving for New Zealand on 31st instant. In meantime use is to be made of Brindisi, Vancouver, and direct steamers for mails from colony as may be most advantageous.

No. 2. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Chief Postmasters. (Telegram.) Wellington, 11th May, 1906. Advertise despatch of specially addressed correspondence for Eastern United States and Eastern Canada by Suez mails leaving Wellington May 19th, Auckland 21st, Bluff 21st. This will be a favourable opportunity for despatching duplicates. The mail will reach New York about same time as Vancouver despatch from Auckland of 13th June.

No. 3. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 23rd June, 1906. Delay in arrival " Sonoma " caused by foul bottom account docks not being available San Francisco. Sydney agents cable will dock ship their port on arrival. Expect to despatch her from Sydney Thursday, July sth, making Monday, July 9th, departure from Auckland, arriving New York July 30th, London, August 6th, per " Kronprinz Wilhelm."

No. 4. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Oceanic Steamship Company, American and Australian Line, Sir, — Auckland, 25th June, 1906. We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of the 23rd instant, reading, 'Is it the case that delay to ' Sonoma ' mainly caused by bottom being very foul ? If so, I presume arrangements will be made to have ship docked in Sydney to avoid anj- excessive delay on outward voyage," to which we replied [see No. 3], which-speaks for itself. We trust that under the exceptional circumstances governing the late arrival of the " Sonoma " at this port, your Department will see its way clear to consent to the change in departure hence to San Francisco. We have, &c, Henderson and Macfarlane, General Agents for New Zealand. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington.