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No. 105. The General Manager, Union Steam Snip Company, Duuedin, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Dunedui, 24th July, 1912. Adverting to your telegram of 11th and letter of 15th instant: On the return of the " Warrimoo " we had an opportunity of making further inquiries regarding the voyage to Sydney from Wellington on 6th July, and also obtained particulars from our Sydney office regarding the time taken in transferring the mails to Melbourne express. Our manager there advises that it was not until receipt of our inquiry that he was aware that portion of the mails had to go on by special train. Our office was in close touch with the Post Office before and after the " Warrimoo's " arrival, and the following morning they were advised that the mails had " connected all right." On receipt of our further inquiries, prompted by your advice to us that a special train bad to be arranged for, they learned for the first time that one load of fifty-four packages missed the train, and had to be sent on by a special. The explanation, we understand, is that a heavy draught horse was all that was available to take the last load from the steamer to the railway, the time occupied being thirty-seven minutes, instead of a quarter of an hour, as usual. With regard to the voyage itself, the following extracts from the official log show that very bad weather was experienced ; in fact, according to Press cables, it was the worst they have had on the Australian coast for something like twenty years : — July 6th. Strong S.W. wind, moderately rough sea. July 7th. Strong northerly wind, moderately rough sea. squally weather. July Bth. Fresh northerly gale, high confused sea. July 9th. Southerly gale and heavy rough sea. During heavy squall shipped large quantities of water, doing damage to deck-fittings, and it became necessary for the ship to be hove to for a couple of hours. July LOth. Southerly wind, high confused sea until entering Sydney Heads, 5.50 p.m. Ship berthed alongside wharf, 7 p.m. I have, &c, C. Holdsworth, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. General Manager. [Suez Conn. 12/02.] _________^___

No. 106. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Acting-Secretary, Union Steam Ship Company. Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Offioe, Wellington, Ist August, 1912. In reference to your letter of the 20th ultimo, respecting the late arrival at Sydney of the s.s. " Ulimaroa " on the voyage commenced at Wellington on the 14th June last, I have the honour to inform you that, as the late arrival was due to circumstances over which your company had no control, the Postmaster-General has decided that no penalty is to be imposed. I have, <fee, 1). Robertson, Secretary. The Acting-Secretary, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited). Dunedin. (Acknowledged, sth August. | [Suez Conn. 12/64.]

No. 107. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. Sir,— General Ppst Office, Wellington, 2nd August, 1912. In reference to the cable message from your office of the 10th ultimo, notifying that the s.a. " Warrimoo " arrived in Sydney on the same date at 7 p.m., and that a special train had been despatched with New Zealand mails, I have the honour to inquire how far the train had to go, and what the cost of it will be. I have, &c, The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. 0. Robertson, Secretary. [Suez Conn. 12/65.]

No. 108. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Slit. General Post Office, Wellington, 15th August, 1912. In reference to your telegram of the 17th ultimo, relating to the late arrival at Sydney of the s.s. " Moeraki " on the voyage commenced at Wellington on the 12th idem, I have the honour to inform you that, as the failure to make the mail connection in Australia was due to exceptionally heavy weather, the Postmaster-General has agreed, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by contract, to waive the penalty. I have, &c, D. Robertson, Secretaiv. The General Manager. Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited). Dunedin. [Acknowledged, 21st August.] {Sue* Conn. 12/68. J