E.—6

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No. 230. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 11th December, 1906. Referring your wire 10th, it is understood our coastal agreement is concurrent with Frisco contract, so we must submit to conditions you mention. [P.O. 06/654.]

No. 231. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist March, 1907. No sign of "Sierra." Apparently unlikely she will reach Auckland to-day. Can you make arrangements bring mail south to-morrow in event of her arriving after south steamer leaves to-day? [P.O. 07/613.]

No. 232. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, Ist March, 1907. " Hawea " due Onehunga to-morrow morning, with sheep. Intended leave immediately sheep discharged, probably between ten and eleven a.m. If mail not arrived we could arrange detain her until latest sailing-hour Saturday, but in this case we should expect Department favourably consider small payment, as done in previous cases. [P.O. 07/613.]

No. 233. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, Ist March, 1907. Iγ " Sierra " does not arrive in time for mails to connect with " Hawea " between 10 and 11 a.m. I shall be glad if you will instruct your Auckland office to detain her as suggested until latest sailing-hour Saturday. Small payment will be agreed to if the detention is necessary. [P.O. 07/613.]

No. 234. The Postmaster, Onehunga, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Onehunga, 2nd March, 1907. The " Hawea," with inward Frisco mails, sailed at 3.30 p.m., and will cross the bar about 5.30 p.m. [P.O. 07/613.]

No. 235. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd March, 1907. Keferring to our telephone conversation to-day, I have now to inform you that the Department is agreeable to pay the sum of £50 for despatching the " Te Anau " from Wellington to-morrow after the arrival of the special train with the San Francisco mail for southern offices. Will you kindly arrange accordingly, and send me a confirmation of the arrangement by bearer? Yours, &c, W. Gray, Secretary. The Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Wellington. [P.O. 07/613.]

No. 236. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 4th March, 1907. I have the honour to inform you that, owing to the irregular running of the steamers to and from San Francisco, and the lengthy voyages which have been the rule for some time past,