¥.— 6

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No. 199. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Defutx Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sip,— General Post Office, Wellington, 12th April, 1907. I have the honour to inform you that, owing to the discontinuance of the San Francisco mail-service, arrangements have been made as from the Bth February last for steamers to leave Wellington fortnightly on Friday, in order to make a close connection with the mail via Suez leaving Sydney on the following Tuesday. It may, however; sometimes happen in the winter that the close-connecting steamer will arrive just too late for the mails to be*sent on by the express train from Sydney to Melbourne. In order that this Department may be in a position to decide whether under such circumstances the expense of running a special train should be incurred, I should be obliged if you could see your way to arrange for a "collect" cable message to be sent to this office fortnightly on Tuesday at about 5 p.m., stating whether the close-connecting steamer had been signalled, and whether connection would be made with the express train at 7.50 p.m. It is understood that the special train would have to leave one hour and thirty-eight minutes after the express —that is, at 9.28 p.m. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. D. Robertson, Secretary. [Suez Conn. 07/88.]

No. 200. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 20th April, 1907. Ahout what time should " Miowera " reach Sydney? I could arrange for special train from Sydney to Melbourne leaving Sydney about 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Is steamer likely to be pushed, or is captain likely to assume that as he cannot reach Sydney in time for mail train he need nor hurry ? [Suez Con. 07/91.] [Owing to thick weather the " Miowera " was detained in Worser Bay until 5 a.m. on Saturday, 20th April.]

No. 201. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 20th April, 1907. Cannot be certain what Captain Newton will do under circumstances, but think he will push through. We instructed him yesterday, if arriving about train time, to have English mails handy to be delivered immediately. I find from records ship has been steaming well in Vancouver trade lately, usually averaging good fourteen knots. In trim she is now in, and if Newton pushes on, should arrive about nine or little earlier on Tuesday evening. [Suez Conn. 07/91.1

No. 202. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, te the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington (Telegram.) Sydney, 20th April, 1907. Mails must be on Sydney wharf one hour before despatch of special train. [Suez Conn. 07/104.]

No. 203 The General Manager, Union Steam .Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 22nd April, 1907. Are you arranging for special train from Sydney to Melbourne for "Miowera" mails? We wish to advise our Sydney manager, so that every effort will be made to give prompt transhipment, jflj [Suez Conn. 07/101.1

No. 204. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manaoer, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) ■ Wellington, 22nd April, 1907. Am in communication with Sydney about special train. Will let you know immediately decision is arrived at. Latest time special can leave is 9.38 p.m., and mails would require to be on Sydney wharf a full hour before then. [Suez Conn. 07/101.]