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No. 80. The Assistant Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 18th February, 1914. In reference to the Secretary's letter of the 27th August, 1913, conveying the PostmasterGeneral's consent to the A T ancouver mail-service steamer being despatched from Auckland on Saturdays, at 10 a.m., until the end of next month, I have the honour to inquire why the R.M.S. " Marama " was not despatched on Saturday, the 14th instant, until 5.30 p.m. I have, &c, P. V. Waters, Assistant Secretary. 'F lie General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 81. 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, 25th February, 1914. In response to your favour of the 18th instant re delayed sailing of R.M.S. " Marama " from Auckland, 14th instant, I have to submit the explanation that heavy rain compelled the operation of loading perishable cargo into the refrigerated chambers to be suspended, so that, although in ordinary weather-conditions the steamer would have sailed practically at 10 a.m., it was found impracticable to get her away until 5.-30 p.m. Trusting this will be considered a satisfactory reason for the delayed sailing, I have, iVc, R. McK. McLennan. The. Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For General Manager.

No. 82. 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, 25th February, 1914. In response to your favour of the 28th ultimo, I have to report that this steamer [" Marama "] encountered very heavy weather from the south-west, which continued practically all the way from Cape Flattery to Honolulu, causing her to arrive at that port one day late. After leaving Honolulu a severe westerly gale was contended with, culminating in hurricane conditions, which necessitated reduction of speed. The captain estimated lhat time lost during this adverse weather was equal to three hundred miles. This resulted in a further delay of a day in the arrival at Suva, and accounts for the late arrival at Auckland. Trusting this will be considered a satisfactory explanation, I have, &c, R. McK. McLennan, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For General Manager.

No. 83. The Assistant Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 2nd March, 1914. I have the honour to ask for a reply to my letter of the 16th January last, inquiring whether your company had any information accounting for the delay of three days in the voyage of the R.M.S. " Makura " between Auckland and Vancouver ended on the 13th idem. I have, &c, F. V. Waters, Assistant Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin. [P, & T. 36/B.] ■ __^^_^^_________

No. 84. The Assistant Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 6th March, 1914. In reference to your letter of the 25th ultimo, regarding the late arrival at Auckland of the R.M.S. " Marama " in January last, I have the honour to inform you that, as the delay was due to a cause beyond your company's control, the Postmaster-General has decided that the penalty is not to be imposed. I have, &c, F. V. Waters, Assistant Secretary. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.