F.—6

30

No. 99.

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, 15th May, 1908. I have to confirm receipt of your telegram of yesterday, and despatch of our reply. These calls at Fanning Island are not profitable to the service, the small payment received barely covering the cost of deviation. When the contract time between Brisbane and Vancouver was twentytwo days and a half we found it easier to make the calls going north, but when the time-table was accelerated this year the position of Fanning rendered it more convenient to call coming South. The Commonwealth Government at first declined to sanction the change so we had to leave it to the Pacific Cable Board to get the assent of the contracting Governments otherwise we would have to abandon the calls altogether, which would be a great inconvenience to the Board. Canada assented some time ago, and on Wednesday our Sydney manager cabled to us that he had just received intimation that the Commonwealth Postmaster-General had withdrawn the restrictions which he had previously laid on the southward calls. The arrangement now is that, beginning with the " Aorangi," leaving Vancouver on 22nd current, which will call if the Pacific Cable Board wish it, the calls will be made by alternate steamers from Vancouver. We are now waiting to hear whether the Pacific Cable Board require the " Aorangi "to call, our uncertainty on the point arising from the lateness of notice that she would be at liberty to do so. I have, &c, R. McK. McLennan, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For General Manager. [ O.R. 1852.]

No. 100! The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 16th May, 1908. Mr. Holdsworth, of the Union Company, telegraphs that he has just received information from his Sydney manager intimating that the consent of the contracting Governments had been given to the calling of the Vancouver steamer at Fanning Island on the southward voyage, and saying that " Aorangi," leaving Vancouver on the 22nd May, would call if Board wished. Let me know as early as possible whether Board does so wish. [O.R. 1852.]

No. 101. The Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Hay, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Doubtless Bay, 16th May, 1908. Inspecting officer, Sydney, replies that "Mr. Jackson, the Union manager here, informed me on the 12th instant that he was arranging for the ' Aorangi' to call on this voyage, all obstacles having been removed. The Board desires this call to be made, and every second one as before." [O.R. 1852.]

No. 102. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir — General Post Office, Wellington, 18th May, 1908. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant on the subject of the calling of your steamers at Fanning Island. I am just in receipt of a telegram from the Superintendent, Pacific Cable Station, Doubtless Bay, informing me that the Board's inspecting officer at Sydney has been informed by your manager there that arrangements were being made for the " Aorangi" to call on the present voyage, all obstacles having been removed. The Pacific Cable Board desires this call to be made, and every alternate steamer to call as before. Further arrangements will, I presume, be made between your company and the Board direct. My inquiry was prompted by a representation from the Pacific Cable Board, which was apparently a circular letter to the partners in the Pacific cable. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [ O.R. 1852.]