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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 42, 20 February 1867, Page 3

The Panama Mail forwarded yesterday contained in all, 32 newspapers ! A striking illustra«ion of the baneful effect of the new postal regulations, which, by putting a prohibitory tax upon the transmission of newspapers, virtually annihilate a powerful immigration agency, and give the first blow to the efficiency of the Panama route. It is the most deplorable shortsighted policy we ever heard of. So says tbe Hawke's Bay Herald of the 2nd instant. We (New Zealand Advertiser) must, however, explain that the Government has been forced into this "short-sighted policy" by the action of the Panama Railway Company who charge them at the rate of threepence per newspaper for every one sent across the Isthmus. As au example of the enormous charges made by this Company we may mention that the book packages sent home by Government by this route in the first steamer cost something like £180 pound for postage, and those by the second about £250. The Government has consequently s-nce then sent all such packages — of which a large number are forwarded by each mail containing voluminous documents for the Home Government — by the Suez route, and receives blue books, &c, from home by the same route. We believe that as soon as ever the heavy postage on newspapers across the Isthmus of Panama is reduced, a corresponding reduction in the postal charges will be made here. Mr. Batkin, in the name of the Commissioner of Stamp Duties, gives the following caution, to which we direct the attention of our readers : — The attention of the public is called to section 16 of the Stamp Duties Act, which specifies the instruments on which the duties payable may be denoted by adhesive stamps affixed by the makers or holders. On all other instruments the stamp must be affixed at the Stamp-office ; any stamp not so affixed is of no avail, and the instrument to which it is affixed is unstamped within the meaning of the Act. All instruments required to be stamped after execution (except those specified in section 16) must be presented at the Stamp-office, within one month, after the date of the execution, or they are subject to a fine of twenty per cent, on the value of the stamp to be affixed. The instruments specified in • section 16 are agreements, bills of lading, policies of insurance, bills of exchange, drafts or orders, promissory notes, and receipts or discharge for the payment of money. Waata Kukutai, an influential Auckland chief, died on the 9th ult. He was one of the staunchest friends of the pakeha throughout all the recent troubles. Mr. James Carter, for many years manager of the Union Bank of Australia in Wellington proceeded to England by the ship Electra.

The Evening Post says the Civil Service Examiners, Messrs. Gisbourne and Spence, having for a time finished their labours, have proceeded to Canterbury in order to inquire into the working of the several departments of the General Government in that province, and will afterwards prosecute their enquiries still further south. His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint the Hon. John Johnston, M.L.C, to be Commissioner of Stamp Duties. The appointment dates from the 30th January, 1866, We (Evening Post) understand that the ofiice carried no salary with it, and that the appointment has merely been made so that some definite member of the Ministry may be qualified to represent the Government in any actions ac law which may arise during the early stages of the working of the Act. The Daily Southern Cross says: — We understand that orders have been received to prepare H. M. 57th Eegiment for embarkation to England without delay, and it is therefore probable that the ships Electric and Maori will be taken up for their transport. Three companies of the regiment are at present doing duty in Auckland garrison, and orders have been issued for the speedy concentration of the remainder, prior to their departure, which will probably be in the beginning of April. Orders have been given to prepare for the embarkation of the 12th regiment immediately after the departure of the 57th. The 57th Regiment is to be concentrated at Auckland by the 15th March, 1867. General Chute has issued orders to the effect that the whole of the posts beyond the Queen's Eedoubt, in the Waikato, are to be abandoned by the Imperial troops. William Hodgkinson, who was recently in the employment of Messrs. Douglas, Alderson, and Co., at Pomahaka, Otago, has been committed for trial, on a charge of altering a cheque with intent to defraud.