F.—6

38

THE PROPOSED ALI/RED ROUTE. No. 111. The SECRETARY, Auckland ( hamber of Commerce, Auckland, to the lion, the Pontmaster-Genkuai.. Wellington. Sir, — Swanson Street, Auckland, 29th June, 1908. In your letter dated the 24th October, 1907 [No. 107, F.-6, 1908], replying to a communication from this ( hamber, you were good enough to inform us that negotiations were in progress for a fast mail-service via Vancouver, and that your efforts to obtain speedy mail communication between New Zealand and the United Kingdom would not be relaxed. At the last meeting of my Council, the question of an improved mail service being under discus sion, your letter was referred to, and I was directed to respectfully impure if we might know what pro gress has been made in the negotiations lor a more rapid and reliable service. I have, &c., The Hon. the Postmaster (leneral. Wellington. A. J. Denniston, Secretary. [Acknowledged 30th July, 1908.] [Van. Misc. 08/57.] *

No. 112. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Canada, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Vancouver, 9th October, 1908. Leaving on steamship " Marama " to-day (Friday) en route to New Zealand and Australia as representative of Canadian Government to confer with your Government re All-red route. [The Deputy Postmaster-General (Dr. R. M. Coulter) reached Wellington on the 25th November.] [Vim. Conn. 08/103.]

No. 113. Mr. C. H. Furness, Auckland, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Sir ,— Auckland, 27th October, 1908. I have been informed by cable from Messrs. Furness, Withy, and Co. (Limited), that they would favourably consider a contract to run and maintain a fast mail-service between New Zealand and Vancouver. My principals now have a mail-service running between Canada and England. They are the largest British steamship-owners in the world, and quite capable in every way of successfully running an up-to-date service. In order that I may be able to send them full information, will you please furnish me with the following particulars required by your Government for this service—tonnage, speed, ports of call, frequency of service, number of boats, subsidy, duration of contract; and any other information, conditions, or suggestions which you may deem necessary. I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General. Wellington. C. H. Furness. [The desired information was furnished orally to Mr. Furness by the Hon. the Postmaster-General.] [Van. Conn. 08/124.]

No. 114. Vancouver Mail-Service. —Tables showing times, not including Stoppages, between the Ports mentioned hereunder.

Miles. IS Knots. 18 Knots. 20 Knots. Vancouver to Honolulu Honolulu to Suva |||.. Suva to Auckland|||f.. k* m Vancouver-Honolulu-Suva-Auckland Auckland-Sydney 2,430 2,760 1,140 D. h. m. 6 8 0 7 4 0 2 23 15 D. h. m. 5 15 0 6 9 30 2 15 20 D. h. m. 5 1 30 5 18 0 2 9 0 6,330 1,281 16 11 15 3 8 0 14 15 50 2 23 10 13 4 30 2 16 0 Vancouver-Honolulu-Suva-Auckland -Sydney 7,611 19 19 15 17 15 0 15 20 30 Vancouver-Honolulu-Suva Suva-Brisbane 5,190 1,508 13 12 0 3 22 15 12 0 30 3 11 45 10 19 30 3 3 8 Vancouver-Honolulu-Suva-Brisbane Brisbane-Sydney 6,698 502 17 10 15 1 7 20 15 12 15 1 3 55 13 22 38 1 1 5 Vancouver-Honolulu-Suva-Brisbane-Sydney 7,200 18 17 35 16 16 10 14 23 43 [Van. Misc. 08/128.]