F.--6A

12

No. 57. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. Gentlemen, — General Post Office, Wellington, 30th April, 1906. I have to confirm my telegram of the 27th instant, asking how it is proposed to provide for the outward voyage to San Francisco, on the 25th May, and to acknowledge the receipt of your reply of the same date, stating that you had cabled Messrs. J. D. Spreckels and Co. for definite information as to sailing of the s.s. " Sonoma." I learn from your telegram to-day that it is impossible to say at present when the " Sonorna " will leave San Francisco, but that she will not get away on the 10th proximo. My service to-day will have informed you that it has now been decided not to send a second assistant agent by the s.s. " Sierra." Yours, &c, Thomas Rose, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Auckland. Acting-Secretary.

No. 58. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 30th April, 1906. Iv confirming my cablegrams [Nos. 17 and 20] to you of the 23rd instant, advising you that owing to the earthquake at San Francisco the sailings of the steamers for Auckland would be temporarily suspended, I have now the honour to inform you that arrangements were made for the transmission from San Francisco to Vancouver of the mails awaiting despatch at the former port by the R.M.S. " Sonoma." They were shipped b}' the R.M.S. " Moana "on the 28th instant, and it was arranged that that vessel should call at Auckland with the mails, going thence to Sydney, and omitting the call at Brisbane. It is expected that the mails will reach Auckland on the 18th proximo. The Mail Agents acoompany the vessel from Vancouver. Messrs. J. D. Spreckels and Brothers Company have advised, through their agents at Auckland, that the local conditions, which are the outcome of the earthquake, make it quite impossible to say at present when the " Sonoma," due to leave San Francisco on the 10th May, will be able to get away, but that she will not be able to sail on time-table date. So soon as a date is definitely fixed you will be informed. I have, &c, Albert Pitt, For the Prime Minister. Hon. W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner for New Zealand, London.

No. 59. The Acting-Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company (Limited), Dunedin. Sir,-— General Post Office, Wellington, 30th April, 1906. Referring to previous correspondence, by telegraph, in connection with the transmission from Vancouver of the mail which should have left San Francisco on the 19th instant by the R.M.S. " Sonoma," I have now the honour to confirm the arrangement with your company that the R.M.S. " Moana " will call at Auckland with the mail on her way to Sydney, for a payment of £400. As pointed out in the Hon. the Acting Postmaster-General's telegram of the 28th instant [No. 53], this Government does not guarantee any poundage from British, American, or Commonwealth Governments in respect of the carriage of the mail, but the Acting Postmaster-General feels sure that this is a matter than can be satisfactorily arranged. I have, &c, Thomas Rose, Acting-Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 60. The Hon. the Acting Postmaster-General to the Hon. the Postmaster-General (at Rome). (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist May, 1906. San Francisco service disorganized. No San Francisco despatch nineteenth. Uncertain when next despatch. Using Brindisi. No outward mail twenty-fifth. Mails which left London seventh April diverted Vancouver. Left there Saturday. Arranged " Moana " touch Auckland. Mail Agents and Smith safe.