F.—6.

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No. 73. [News Extract, 16th September, 1907.] Sydney, 15th September, 1907. The Union Company's steamer " Monowai," which left Wellington, New Zealand, on Friday, 6th September, and has been overdue at Sydney since last here this morning, in tow of the " Mokoia." At 3 o'clock last Tuesday morning the " Monowai " broke her rudder-shaft, and at 4 a.m. on Thursday she was picked up by the " Mokoia " —all well. [Suez Conn. 07/236.]

No. 74. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 17th September, 1907. " Miowera " arrived eleven-thirty seventeenth. Also " Monowai " mails go by " Mongolia " this day. [Suez Conn. 07/233.1 ______^^_^^__^^^^_

No. 75. The General Manager, Union- Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company, of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedin, 17th September, 1907. I have to thank you for the consideration and courtesy extended us in keeping telegraphoffices open during the last few days when we have had the " Monowai" and " Warrimoo "on hand. It was not only a convenience, but a very great advantage, to be able to get our messages through so promptly, and during the night as well as the day. Your officials at all the branches involved were most attentive, and also their work ;| if we could single out those who did most for us, I think the local office and the officers in charge at Cape Farewell should be specially mentioned. I have, &c, C. HOLDSWORTH, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. General Manager. [Suez Conn. 07/238. |

No. 76. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington, to the Secretary, Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. Sir,— General Post Offico,tWellington, 30th September, 1907. I have the honour to refer to your letter of the 19th ultimo suggesting that the sailing-time of the steamers leaving Wellington on Fridays for Sydney should be fixed at 8 p.m. to enable the mail from the north by Friday's express train to be despatched. In reply, I beg to inform you that the matter under the notice of the Union Steam Ship Company, asking whether it would be practicable to arrange an 8 p.m. sailing on the dates on which vessels of the " Maheno " and " Moeraki " class were scheduled to carry the mails. I have received an answer to the effect that, while the company is anxious to meet the wishes of the Department in every possible way, it pointed out that an 8 p.m. sailing,*;even in the case of the faster steamers,would be liable to jeopardize the connection in event of bad and that as the hour of sailing of the slower boats employed in the running could extended, the regularity of the service would be all the circumstances, therefore, I think it desirable that the present hour of sailing —namely, 4 p.m.—should be adhered to. I have, j J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General. The Seoretary. Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. | Acknowledged 11th October, 1907.] [Suez Conn. 07/232.] f i