45

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°f working for that one hour amounted to £5 3s. 6d., divided thus: Customs, Is.; Harbour Board, £2 17s. 6d.; and our own wharf labour, £2 ss. But for the detention to the ship all the work would have been finished by 6 p.m., showing that it would have been unnecessary for us to start at 7 in the morning if we had known of the delay. Kindly consider under these circumstances whether we are not fairly entitled to receive the sum of £5 3s. 6d. from your Department. I have, &c, C. W. Jones, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Manager for New Zealand. [Suez Conn. 10/120.]

No. 157. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Manager, Huddart, Parker, and Company Proprietary, Wellington. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 30th August, 1910. In reference to your letter of the 24th instant making a claim for £5 3s. 6d. overtime paid in working the s.s. " Ulimaroa " on the 26th idem between 7 and 8 a.m., on the ground that had you known the vessel was to be detained for the mails the overtime would not have been incurred, I regret to say the Department cannot entertain the claim, as such detentions are regarded as covered by the contract. I have, &c, D. Eobertson, Secretary. The Manager, Huddart, Parker, and Company Proprietary (Limited), Wellington. . [Suez Conn. 10/121.]

No. 158. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 30th August, 1910. No sign " Moeraki." Cannot connect special. [Suez Conn. 10/132.]

No. 159. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 31st August, 1910. ****** " Moeraki " arrived four Wednesday morning. Delayed by very heavy south-west gale Saturday and Sunday.

No. 160. The Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 7th September, 1910. I enclose for your information copy of letter [not printed] dated 7th instant made by Captain Rolls on the circumstances which led to the " Moeraki" missing connection with the mail-train at Sydney on Tuesday, 30th ultimo. [Heavy weather was the cause.] I have, <fee, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. W. A. Kennedy, Manager. [Suez Conn. 10/133.]

No. 161. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 20th September, 1910. I have the honour to refer to the late arrival at Sydney of the " Moeraki " on the voyage which commenced at Wellington on the 26th ultimo, and to inform you that in consideration of the weather conditions during the trip, reported through your Wellington office, it has been decided to waive the penalty. ****** I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. Conn. 10/137.]