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1 may say that the " Warrimoo " has recently received a thorough overhaul, and has been fitted with new furnaces., so that we do not anticipate there will be any cause for complaint about her missing the mail-connection in the future unless owing to tempestuous weather. I have, &c, D. A. Aiken, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Assistant General Manager. [Chamber of Commerce informed, 13th August.] [Suez Conn. 13/92.] ___^_^^__________

No. 107. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, Genera] Post Office, Wellington. Postmaster-General's Department, General Post Office, Sir,— Sydney, 28th November, 1913. In confirmation of my cablegram [not printed] of even date, I have the honour to inform you that, as the departure of the Union Company's vessels is uncertain, 1,127 bags of mails, 49 hampers, and 3 boxes of mail-matter were despatched by the White Star Company's " Zealandic " at noon on the i!sth instant, and that they should arrive at Auckland at about noon on Sunday, the 30th idem. The particulars of the mails despatched are as follows :— From Sydney ... ... 321 bags and 33 hampers (including 18 for H.M. ships). ~ Melbourne ... ... 133 bags and 9 hampers. ~ Adelaide ... ... 13 bags. ~ Tasmania ... ... 7 ~ ~ Western Australia ... 17 ~ ~ Queensland ... ... 32 ~ ~ London ... ... 522 ~ ~ Europe and India ... 82 bags and 7 hampers and 3 boxes. In all ... ... ... 1,127 bags, 49 hampers, and 3 boxes. I would explain that the despatch of the mails per "Zealandic" was determined upon owing to the fact that the Union Company's " Manuka," which was advertised to leave Sydney for Wellington on Saturday, the 22nd instant, has been detained at Sydney owing to the refusal of the crew to work. It may be mentioned also that the company could give no assurance as to when the vessel was likely to leave. Two hundred bags of mails were placed on board the " Manuka " on Saturday last, and had to be brought back to the G.P.0., Sydney, as, in the absence of labour, they could not be shipped. Messrs. Dalgety and Co. notified this office that the " Zealandic " would leave for Auckland at noon on the 25th, and as the Union Company could give no definite information as regards the movements of its vessels, the mails were transhipped from the " Manuka " to the " Zealandic." I " The Zealandic " is a non-contract vessel, and poundage rates (2s. per pound for letters and 4s. per hundredweight for other articles) must be paid on all mails forwarded. The poundage rates on Commonwealth mails will be paid to the agents in Sydney, but, as the weights of the mails from London, Europe, and India are not known here, settlement therefor should be made in New Zealand. I have, &c, A. J. Arndbll, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. For Deputy Postmaster-General.

No. 108. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the Dkputy Postmaster-General, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th November, 1913. " Maungatjui " has mixed crew. In event late arrival Sydney, kindly arrange special train onward for mail-connection steamer.

No. 109. The Deputy Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, 3rd December, 1913. " Maunganui " arrived I'uesday, 5.55 p.m. Your mails forwarded by special train.

No. 110. The Assistant Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. Sir, — General Post Office, Wellington, 9th December, 1913. In reference to the lffte arrival at Sydney of the s.s. " Maunganui T ' on the trip commenced on the 28th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that, as the failure was due to a cause in the opinion of the Postmaster-General beyond the control of your company, it has been decided that the penalty for late arrival is not to be imposed. I have, <fee, F. V. Waters, Assistant Secretaiy. The General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.