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No. 12. The Hon. the Acting Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Postmaster-General, Washington. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th April, 1906. Can you kindly ascertain safety our Mail Agents, Lindsay and Hounsell? Usual residence California Hotel, San Francisco.

No. 13. The Mail Agent, Dunsmuir, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunsmuir, Cal., 22nd April, 1906. San Francisco destroyed earthquake, fire. " Sonoma " remains three weeks, Taking mails north. Instruct care Postmaster, Vancouver, if assistant and self come " Moana."

No. 14. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 23rd April, 1906. It is reported, sailing of steamers from Frisco temporarily suspended. If " Sonoma " is withdrawn, suggest mails could oonnect with " Moana," leaving Vancouver 27th instant. If we can assist in matter, shall be glad cable our Vancouver office.

No. 15. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd April, 1906. Many thanks. Unfortunately we cannot ascertain where our mails are. Wo cabled London this morning suggesting that if possible to locate the mails, they should be diverted to Vancouver. Will wire you further about matter immediately reply is received.

No. 16. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland, to the Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Auckland, 23rd April, 1906. We are in receipt of a cable from Messrs. Spreckels, addressed from Oakland, reading, " Notify Government sailings temporarily suspended. Accept cargo and passengers homeward ' Sierra.' Can care for them properly. Railroad connections intact."

No. 17. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd April, 1906. Spreckels advises sailings from San Francisco temporarily suspended. Request Imperial Post Office despatch all accumulation mails up to Friday via Suez. Will endeavour advise later whether anything should come forward via, San Francisco on Saturday. Ask Imperial Post Office if possible to locate mail which left London seventh, and if there would be any time to divert to Vancouver. Unable so far to hear from Smith or our Mail Agents.

No. 18. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 23rd April, 1906. Received telegram and note that sailings temporarily suspended. Unless anything more definite received within next day or two, doubtful if it will be advisable to send anything for Europe by " Sierra." Can you suggest any means by which we can trace our Mail Agents? So far we have heard nothing either from Smith or Lindsay. If you are cabling Spreckels kindly ask if Mail Agents safe. We have cabled both to Smith and Postmaster-General, Washington, but cannot get a reply. I will also cable Spreckels, and ask Pacific cable to follow up the telegram.