HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 223, 6 September 1862, Page 6

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

DEBATE ON THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT(From the Wellington Independent. ) TUESDAY, 21st AUGUST. IfFMOVAL OF THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT. MR. DICK moved,—" That it is the opinion of this H-ius-3 that the interests of the Colony require the removal of the Seat of Government to some place in .Cook's Strait's. He said, that thou hit was a lnte Lour at which to introduce the motion of which he had given notice, yet its importance required that he should- say something upon it. He had not introduced the question of the Seat of Government from any desire to injure Auckland but the necessities of the case demanded that the Colony '-should now.be governed from a more central position. At one nine Auckland might have been the right place ijv the Seat of Government when the Middle Island was very thinly peopled and the Native question was almost the only one which called for the attention of "th£ Governor; then it might have been the right centre of Government. But circumstances have now completely altered. Auckland was now at. rhe*extremity of the Colony. The Middle Island had a population of upwards 0f.60,000, more in-fact, than all the Native population together, and therefore the wants oftbe Middle Island must have more attention given to them, than had been done previously. The Seat of Government in a new colony should be in some place central, or as nearly fo as possible to the different parts of the colony. The difficulty of communication being great, every means should be employed to diminish the advantages* arising f;oin that difficulty. The position'of Auckland was now no more fitte.l for the Seat of Government than tha position of Dunedin. The one was at one extremity of the colony, the other was at the other extremity. Statistics "showed that jn almost every respect, Otago was now in advance of Auuklaud, but such a preeminence he (Mr. D.) said was not asked for Otago. All that was asked was simply that justice should he done, and thac instead of bavins* the Seat of Government *at the furthest extremity of the colony from Otago, a central position should be chosen, which would ba as nearly _as possible equally distant fiom bolh, and which at the same time would be nearer to the other . Provinces of t*ie colony. Such a position was to bo found in Ucok's Straits. No one couid deny that Cook's Strain were in reality the true centre of. New Zealand, not one Province woukl be at further distance than ft present from tho .^eat of Government by its removal Xi Cook's Strait*, except Auckland itself, nnd possibly to a small fxtenf, Taranaki, a'l the others would be brought nearer by such-a removal. He (Mr. Dick) thought .that probably Wellington was, all things considered the be^t position in Cook's Straits, but that question lie <!ii not wi>h to enter on tb/*n : what \\z wanted being to aftirm the statement of the motion, tbr-t tho interests of the colony j required the removal of the Scat of Government to seme place in Coitk's Straits. He wa« aware that it had bpen argued, and might again be argued in favor j ■of Auckland, ns the S»at of Government, that the j Native difficulties could nnt properly be attended to from any other place. This he considered the only argument ot any weight which could be oilVre.-l for retaining the Seat of Government at Auckland ; but he considered it a most unsatisfactory one. It oouM j not be allowed that the intensts of all the Europeans j in the Middle Island should be sacrificed for the Government of Ihe Natives : if so, then the present, Government simply existed for the benefit of the Natives, and the separation of the two islands became \ a matfer of necessity. ■ But Otago (Mr. D.) said; suffered especially from the great distance at which it was situated from the Seat of Government. He would not detain the House by giving instances of the delays which had occurred in the transaction of important Provincial business, from the ■necessity of a reference to Auckland, nor of the vexation caused by such delay ; and in sayinsr this he did not attach any blame whatsoever to the Government, though probably the absence amongst the Natives of the Colonial Secretary in his capacity of Native Minister may have sometimes made the drlay in forwarding replies to correspondence greater than it otherwise would have been. But it. must he evident to every one that during the last twelve months, with the ranid increase of the population, the discoveries of new gold fields, and the consequent derangement of the whole existing machinery of Government, j the delay caused by a constant reference to Auckland, with the knowledge that no replies could be receive;! in less than a month, and seldom in that time, mu-r. have been vexatious in the extreme. In point of f ,c<. (Mr. D.) said Otago was in all respects nearer to Melbourne than to Auckland, the communication we**, iiiore frequent, more regular, and much more rapid. It was no uncommon thing to get replies to letters from Melbourne in a fortnight, and at all times it was safe to calculate upon speedy attention.^. "With such facts before them, ■wa* it to b»? wondered at that the people of Otago, and especially the more recent arrivals, cried out for separation. A good deal had been said about that cry, and ho (Mr. .IX) would now say something of it also. That cry had not originated in Otago. Some years ago, nni till Jat-sly, an important Canterbury paper, tho Lyttelton Times, uad been an earnest advocate for separation. Immediately after the last session of .the "Assembly, a Nelson paper, which no doubt represented the opinion of a considerable proportion of the Nelson Province the Nelson Examiner y had produced several able articles en the same side ; and though Otago wn-s now in the front in that movement, it certainly had not the honour of being the first in the field. But it was not to be wondered at, that now the cry .was louder from Otago than from any other place. They had felt most heavily the injustice done them by having the Seat of Government at such a distance. The new at rivals were r.ot now to be easily satisfied with the J delays to which they were subjected in consequence of that distance. They knew when they were unjustly treated, and would make themselves heard, they were men from Bnllaratand other places in Australia, earnest, active men, accustomed ,_to_ agitation, and alive to their own interests. He (Mr. D.) was not necessarily a separationist, if full justice could be got for Otago by other means; but if he faw that the small amount of attention asked for in the resolution before the House was refused, he could not but feel that Otago wonld think itself neglected and he therefore urged that the proposition for the removal of the seat of Government should be agreed to. MAJOK RICHARDSON" seconded the motion. Mr. STAFFORD never addressed the House with - less embarrassment t^an upon the present occasion, seeing that tho question was entirely divested of all party character. He referred to the vested interests involved, doubting whether that House was the proper tribunal to determine the question, and likewise to the practice which existed in America for the solution of such matters, He considered that there was nothing to prevent the House coming to a conclusion, and he expressed his disappointment at the manner in which the mover had brouarht the question before the House. With reference to the geographical cen»re of the Colony, he considered that the Kaikoras had the advantage, but that the absence of a harbor would render it an unfit place for the seat of Government, The Island of Kapiti would be near the centre, but there was a difficulty in the way there, for the native title was not extinguished. There were three points in coming to the solution of the question—Wellington, Piciou, and Nelson. The hon. gentleman then proceeded to review the various qualifications possessed by Wellington, with reference to its being a proper place for the seat of the Government of the Colony to be located. Hr considered that it possessed many advantages, and referred to the facilities of communication enjoyed by tho port. Upon the subject of earthquakes he dwelt at some length, stating hia opinion that the earthquakes had done good in Wellington. They had been felt in other places when they had not been preceptible in Wellington. There had been an earthquake felt Dunedin when there were only 800 people there, and no one could say what would occur with reference to them, or what place might be ykitod by them.— He wanted to judge the matter in differently, and he would say that although Wellington had large claims, she had not all the claim. He compared Wellington with Nelson, the former Province having the greater facilities in respect of the Panama route, and the latter having an advantage by being in closer proximity to the heart of the native difficulty. He considered Wellington and Nelson were placed in a position of equality. With regard to Picton.be said it was a Province with few friends in the House, and it was a place which bad uot progressed so much as it ou^ht to have done, ovring to the strong feelings of political factions. Picton possessed advantages over either Wellington or Nelson ;• it had great facilities for communication ; had a magnificent harbor, and wan easily fortified against attack. He might say that Picton was first, and po"-.->i'»!y either Wellington or Nelson seco.«<l. He procee-lud to take a general view of the sul; c*. and referred to the inconveniences which had arisen at Otago, upon the sudden increase of populate ■/?, in consequence of the distance from the seat of Gi-"/eminent, and likewise briefly alluded to the separation movement , He stated that he would vote against the motion',- "but Had the, hon. mover mentionc .1 some specific place, he would hj"tveibeen open to conviction.' He considered it was a want'of candour in the hon. mover, but he (Mr. Stafford) knew what it meant, and would inform the hon. member that the Nelson members were not to be taken that way. The hon. member should have negociated outside the House, and he might have induced

other hoiu-'members to join with him** in coming'to a specific determination. He believed tliat Aucklaud vas the proper place, for he did not consider that a geographical centre was necessary for the Beat of the Government of the Colony. Auckland possessed a, large preponderance of reasons why she should retain the sent of Government. He referred to the geographical position of Auckland, and to the last census returns taken in that Proviuce. After referring to the.a'guuienU which had been adduce.', hi f-ivoi- ot'tbe separation movement, liesaid that he could not at that time recognise the probability 6t* beneficial results arising from tha removal of the seat of Government from -/Auckland. If the mover had niide it Nelson, he would have taken the same view of the question, and he warned the Nelson members tliat they could not do a more fatil injury to the interests of the Province of Wellington than by passing the resolution before the House. Sir. O'NEILL said if the resolution was earned, every one on the Auckland Electoral Roll would become advocates for separation. He denied the rig'it of the House to interfere with the matter at all, as he considered it a matter for the Imperial Government to deal with. He denied most emphatically that the interests of the Colony would be benefited by the removal of the seat of Governmentf and referred to Governor'Fitzroy's selection of tho locality when'hu. first arrived in the Colony. Ifo alluded to the facilities possessed by Auckland, than which lie considered no phico bitter calculated to he the seat of Government. They should lirst remove or destroy the natives before they sought to make any alteration. Mr. CARLETOJf said that the hon. member for Dunedin, /Mr. Dick, had stated his reason for having altered the terms of his motion, from " Wellington " to "Cook's Straus;1' "namely—that all places in Cook's Straits were equally convenient for Otago. Of course, tha" statement was enough; but',he would tell lion, members what he (Mr. 0.) had supposed to be the reason. The votes in favor ot Wellington had been ascertained, and they formed pnly a minority. " ConseConsequently, he had supposed that "Cook s Straits," had been substituted in hopes to pain the votes of Nelson and Pictou.members, and at all events obtain a vote against Auckland. Sanh might be the result, whatever tiie intention j and lie thought tliat the best way to (leal wi'h the.-matter would he to move by way of amendment, that the word.* " Cook's Straits'* i be omitted, and the woid "Wellington" inserted in j lie:i thereof. Tliat amendment would be lost; and the advantage would'!>«, thut a vote would be rocorde-1 iigniiiftt Wellington, leaving kelson or I'icton still open. They would be disposed of one way or the other, under the main qVn»>tu>n " Cook's Straits." He would move that amendment. himself, were it not for (he peculiar means "always u«el in Auckland to mUr?present whatever he did. It would be assiduously circulated all over the Province that he had voted for Wellington agiiiust -Auckland as an 'electioneering cry. He thought, however, that some Aueklaml member who was not so liable to misrepresentation, ought to move t!iat nmeiidmeut But even if the resolution for Cook's Straits were can ied, what would be the worth of it.' It seemed to be thought that theMinistry would have to select some placs in Cook's Straits ; but it was forgotttcu tliat on the subject of the scat of Govcruiueiit, tliey could not act as a ministry, but only us individual members, and as such, they would not ;igree among themselves. The question had always been an open one, and must necessarily remain so, unless i\ ministry were composed entirely of Northern, or entirely of Southern, members, . Some particular pi ;ce must be specified by the Hou-e before the Government could act on the resolution. Hon. members whiMidvocatedaehniure in the seat Government, f-eeined to forget that a breach of agreement would !« involved, fur large stuns of money had been paid to Government", for town allotmtnt., at Auckland, on tha understanding that Auckland wasto be the seat of Government- Were those who advocated a change prepared to place a sum on the Estimates for repayment of the c-xcesa i It was no question as to whether Auckland was or was not tho ritrht place ; the money had been paid, and the Colony had a<:*pted it. fie had himself made many a bad bargain in his time ; but never in his life had he repudiated a baigain. The land upon which the City of Wellington stood had !><eu sold by the acre, at £1 per acre. In the City of Auckland tho land had been sold by the foot, at enormous prices, simply on account of the undertaking to make it the seat of Government. (By whom I) By the Government itself*. Auckland was founded by Governor Hobson for that purpose. Mr. FOX said it was no use discussing the question, as every member hml made up his mind as to the way-which he would vote. He criticised the speech of the hon. member for the Bay of Islands (Mr. CarletO'i) for the view which be had taken of the question. He considered it perfectly competent for that House to filter the seat of Government where they wished. He gave ail explanation of the diflumlties* which arose from the government of the natives from Auckland, and expressed his opinion that they could be better governed from Cook's Strait. Mr. G. GRAHAM wished for nn explanation of sime remarks which had fallen from Mr. Fox. lie said hon. members quite forgot that there was such a place ns the Bay of Islands: it was the seat of government for all religious bodies (laughter.) Mr. MOOR HOUSK would never rest until the seat of Government was removed to Wellington. He referred to the prospects which members for Canterbury would have against being returned unless pledged to effect that otijeer. and it was his decided opinion that in the next session they would have an undoubted majority in the House favorable to the remaval of the sent of Government to Wellington. Otago and Canterbury would combine, for they were determined not to submit to such inconveuiences any longer. Ho alluded to the growingl requirements of the two Province, and the incon/enienccs which the distance of the seat of Government involved. Mr. JOHN WILLIAMSON" remarked that his hon. friend having spoken, Canterbury was of course unanimous, for it had been wiid that the hon. gentleman regarded himself ns Canterbury. .(Laughter) Now, lie (Mr. W.) would venture to say that his hon. frienti would lie mistaken on this occasion ; Cautevbury* would not be unanimous on the vote about to be taken. (Hear.) The hon. member, no doubt, preferred personal interviews to written communications with the Government on matters relating to his Province ; well, the means were now at his disposal •if visiting Auckland ns frequently, and almost as speedily, as Cook's Straits, and he thought that occasional trips to Auckland would be found to produce beneficial effects on his. Hon. iViend ; for whenever lie had hitherto honored Auckland with a visit he had heen much pleased" to remark that his hon. friend looked exceedingly well. (Jvnighter.) In the early days of the colony the complaints made by the people of the Southern Provinces, because of their distance from the seat ot Government and the delays and inconveniences arising therefrom, were not unreasonable. At that time the Government brig was almost the only means of communication betw-en Auckland and the South, and her movements wore clow enou-_'h. A very different state of things existed now. Our steam arrangements afforded opportunities of rapid intercourse between the chief ports of the Provinces North ami South, and the complaints urged on this ground were not tenab'e. (Hear, hear.) The hon. member:who had brought forward the motion had given this House some information relative ,-to" the statistics of Otago. Now what all this had to do with the question of the Seat of Government he could not observe. The remedy for the old grievances or distance from the Seat of Government %yas found in the powers of local self-government provided in our provincial institutions. Almost everything in the way of government that was required could be done by the Provincial Governments themselves. He might instance the management of gold fields, powers relating to the management of them had been delegated to the Superintendent (Mr. Dick: The powers are not sufficient without reference to the Governor.') Well, they could shortly be obtained. Reference had very properly been made to the very efficient police force of that Province, and he was very glad to near hishon.friendtheSuperintendeat get credit for the establishment of that force (hear, hear). The powers in the Province? were very extensive. Everything relating to tha peace, order, and good government within their respective boundaries could be accomplished for themselves, so that there was really no longer any excuse for the revival of the Seat of Government. Almost every argument that could be urged against the motion, had been exhausted by the hon. member for Nelson, whose speech ought to have been sufficient to convince the House of the inexpediency of entertaining this question. He most cordially united with the hon. member for the Northern division in thanking that hon. member for the part he had taken on that occasion. In the consideration of this question, however, he must say that he did not attach so much importance as had been given to the prices paid for land by the first buyers at Auckland; ha would rather ask the House to be guided -by the considera'ions of greater moment which affected the colony, aud especially the Northern Island at the present lime. If they were sincere in their desire to leave the Governor the untranielled management of native matters, they ought not to proceed to dictate to him the place from whence those affairs were to be conducted. He could not see how Dunedin. was to be benefitted by the removal of the Seat of Government to Cook's Straits, and urged the hon. niember to withdraw the motion. . Mr. WILSON, C.BJ, referred to some remarks ■which .had fallen from the hon. member for Heatheote (Mr. MoprbougeJ/withjregai&ta a/threat to the that any Canterbury member voting against the removal of the Seat of Government would not be returned at the next election. He would be perfectly unfit to represent Christcburch if he submitted to dictation as to the way he should vote, and he would not be tied to vote either one way or other.

Mr.-MOORHOUSK rose to explain witli reference to the remarks of the hon member for Christcbnrcli. Mr. JOLLIE expressed his intention of voting for tho motion, quoting an extract from a debatj in the House of Commons, which, he considered, c mtaice 1 conclusive .evidence that the Suat of. Gorcrnm-nt should not bo at Auckland. , MAJOii RICHARDSON supported the mo'ion. Mr. MANTRLL referred to an allusion which had been made to his department when he wag ioraierly in office, and proceeds-!-to, explain his views with | TCgard to the ■ vicinity of the"natives to the Government. From" life own experience he fraught that native attain* could never be prnptrly ahnini*tered while situate I under the nose of the Government. The NATIVE MINISTER referred to the remarks of Mr. Mantell, to the great importance of the question at issue, and to the inconveniences which would arise if the Seat of Government was removed. If the House was going to resolve that the Seat of Govern- j mei>t should be removed to Wellington, they need not reckon on his services us Native Minister. Mr. J. C. RICHMOND said" that the hon. Native Minister liad done an unusual thinjr, for he had j turned his (Mr. Richmond's) vote. He would rote ' against the motion. j Mr, lilt AN DON rose to pro test against the remarks of the Native Minister. I The NATIVE MINISTER rose to explain and was i followed by Mr. J. C. RICHMOND. Mr. RENALLsaid lie had no objection to the Native Minister opposiup; the motion, but., he certainly thought In had no rijjht to ihrovr his office into the bargain. « Mr. GILLIES said that the Government o" tho Colony from Auckland had become an impo> slt>ility. Mr. RHODES did not li'co to give a silent vote on I the question, and proceeded to shew how the Seat of !- Governing-it .first went to Auckland, explaining at some leu<> Hi t!ie circumstances connectedwiiii it. He referred to the separation cry, and expresse-l his opinion that if the Scat of Government was not removed, .separation would be the result. Mr. WELLS said the time would shortly, or had now arrived when th« Executive of the Colony should lie centralised. He thought the House should affirm thft principle, but lliat. it would be well to leave it to Elh Excellency Sir George. Groy to give a final decision on the question. Mr. Curtis said he would have no objection to tho | removal of the Seat of Government to n more central I position, hut hi; did not think the step would be a proper one to ttl:c at that time. Ho would vote against the motion. Mr. COLENSO ma-lo a few remarks, making a stipu'ation with regard te the Otugo mcmlwrs by which his vote might be influenced either way. MivVVKLD vail the eircumstitnces of the Colony demanded that tlie Mint of Govenmr ut should be removed to a more central position. 1I« did not th'nk itrcquiMte tiiat lii.- Governor shoull be in constant communication vitii his Ministers in order to secure the pood {iovcr>un<iiit of the untives. Mr. CAHGILL spoke in favor of tho removal of tlif sti»t of GfncrimniUt. Mr. U. GRAHAM referred to tho capabilities of Auckland for rut a nin^ the seat of Government, and spoki: against th« proposed alteration. j Mr. WATT proposed an amendment to the-effect that the Mat of Government should be removed at the earliest p«s-ib!e period consistent- with the present circuuistunc&s of the Colony. The ameu hisent was not seconded, and consequently fell through. ' Mr. HKNDBR-ON did not exactly know what the Southern mon wantel. He thought it would be j very little no.id if-Wellington had the >eat of Govcmuitm if there Wis*i»'»' guarantee* that »ha would retain it. Me. WARD expressed himself in favor of the resolution. Mr. DICK, "in reply, referred to some remarks made by tho lion, nsumber f.;r N<:lsi>n (Mr. Stafford). . j That neiitlem.vi hal su'l th;U the .arguments introducing the motion had uot been so strong as be had «xpeetcd ; if the length of a .speech wore to be taken j as an argument,, thr-n he (Mr. Dick) admitted that I be hid not arcue.l m wdl as Mr. St'iflbid, t>ut he held that .Mr. Stafford's itrpumi-iits were not all of ♦he strongest chanic;er, us for instance the length of time he was kept waiting tit the Dunedin jKist-otlice for v letter, and hi» hvlciuu warning to the representative* from Nel*jii that it" they voted f«;r the. ri-s-ilu-tiou, they would one day bitterly repont it. The tnmabcr for thy"Xort-hcrn l')ivisiou (Mr. O'Xc-Ul) had also acu'd unfairly in remarking that tho motion bail beun brought forwjird insincerely, and simply with the view of uHsustinp the Btrpar<it:ot> movement. • Such was not the case ca-<c. He ainceivly. desired to see the Kent of Government in th* centre o? the Cokmy —where in Cook's Strait5* it did not matter tn him j much. He wns not anxious to sec separation a'-com- ', piishu'l, providod ho could obtain justice to Southern interests—justlci* to the Culouy ns a wUu'c, and not sujK-rior aiivaittag-'i give.i to one jmrt to tin* injury of . the rust. 13ut it'du«i att'iition could not I«> (riven to the interests of the South—if till the advantages of ' Government were cliiimcd. for and retained by the 1 North - tlifii he certnhily was for .separation. The • Mini-stry of -which Mr. "Stafford was the h&'til, had carried.th« new Provinces Act, becaire s Hue p'trts of )I a Piwince were al a uouHidorublc distiince f.o;n th« ! c.ipital of that Province. If that argument was j?ootl ■ for the Provinces it was equally »;00l for the Colony, < and if the Seat of Government whs to l»e retained at I Auckland, separation wjis, according to the principles » on which tlie New Provinces Act became law, both i just and exjclient. The Native Minister (Mr. Bell) hat! . expressed bis intention to oppose the motion, and in 3 doinf; so he (Mr. Dick) thought be did bis eon»titnc nta i an injusti'-e. At tho thuo that it was intimated that ' Mr. 801 l was appointed Native Minister, be (Mr. : i | Uick) h:ul considered it to \io a pity that a represeni t-Uive from thi; South should hold that office ; this s j opinion was confirmed now tuat he Sound Mr. Bull g objecting that he could not, uh Native Minister, sup- . port a rc-clution for tho removal of the seat of (vi- ) yerntneiit. If .Mr. Re!l could not do bis constituent* \ justice while he held hin present appointment it was . his duty to resign that appointment at once. 0 The House then divided, with the following re- , t suit—trocti 23, ayes 22. Noks Ayes s Atkinson Carter ■I Graham, G. Taylor, "WV W. s j Nixon Oimond l- i Domett Afoorhouso c ' Hell Wells c Williamson Jo!m Coukson 1 T.iylor, C. J. Wanl > Carleton Thomson V Mason ftenail c Colcnso' Harrison c Kichmoml, A. J. (Jtirtill - Stafford Joilie '- O'Horkc Gillies | Wood Rhodes d. Graham, It. Fitzgerald '• Curtis We!d r Butler Fetherston II Henderson Richirdson* « Monro Fitzherbcrt i i*" Wilson Fox l: O'Neill Draiulon J (l Williamson, Jas. Dick ! c Kussell l« IVtr—Mantell for: J C. Jlichmond against. '' The motion was consequently lost.

THE NEW HATES 01? POSTAGE. We publish for general information, the New Rates of Postage in force from and after April 1,1882 :— NE W ZK A L AN D. HATES OF ■ POSTAGE CHARGEABLE ON LETTERS, NEWSPAPERS, AND PjOOKPACKETS POSTED IN THE COLONY. LETTERS. —Inland Letters. Not exceeding .} 0z... ... .. ... 2d. Exceeding 1 oz., and not exceeding 1 oz. ~.- 4d. ~ ' loz., „ „ 2oz. ... Bd. And so on, increasing fourpence for every additional ounce or fraction of au osujce. 2.—To the United Kingbom. By Southampton or by direct ship— Not exceeding A 0z... .. .. .. Cd. Exceeding A oz.. and not exceeding 1 oz. ... la. „ loz., „ ~ 2oz. ... 2s. And so on, increasing one shilling for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. By Marseilles — Not exceeding \oz ... .. .. ... 9d. Exceeding 1 oz., and not exceeding A, oz. ... Is. „ *oz., „ ~ f oz. ls.9d. '■■»,- io'/.., ~ „ loz. ... 2s. And so on, being an addition to the ordinary postage, at tlio rate of threepence per quarter ounce. 3. To Bkitish Coloniks and Foreign Countries Not exceeding 4oz .. .. .. .. Cd. xceeling oz., and not exceeding 1 oz. .. Is.. „ i oz., „ ~ 2 oz. i.. 2s. And so on, increasing one 'shilling for every additional ounce or fraction of an ouno\ I ©S* Except in the following casea, where special rates are payable. 4.—To tub Continent oj? Europe via Tbiestb. Not exceeding $ oz,. .. .. Is. 6d. Exceeding i oz., and not exceeding 1 oz. .. 3a. ~ IOZ., „ .'...■:-, 20Z. .. 63. And so on, increasing three shillings for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. s.—To Syria anu Tcrket. Letters will be forwarded via Alexandria and Jaffa unless marked for transmission via the United Kingdom), and will be charged as follows:— Not exceeding i oz. ... * ... ... lid. Exceeding \ oz., and not exceeding 1 oz. is. lOd.

And so on, increasing oue shilling and tenpence for 6'ery additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. [3. —To CHINA AND THE EASTERN AnCHIVKLAOO. Letters addressed to Hongkong, Pena.ng, Singapore, or any part of China or Japan, the Phillipine Islands, fava, Sumetra, Borneo; Lubuan, the Moluccas, and Siam, are chargeable as follows: — Not exceeding £ ©z.... .. .. ..Is Exceeding 5 oz. and not exceeding 1 oz. .. 2s And so on, increasing two shilling for every addiional ounce or fraction of an ounce. 7.—To Naval Officers ox Fokeigs Statiojts. Letters addressel to Officers serving ou board any of Her Majesty's ships on a foreign station, when gent through the United Kingdom, are chargeable as follows:— Not exceeding .J 0z.... ... ... ... Is Exceeding | oz., and not exceeding 1 oz. ... 2s. ~ loz., „ „ 2 oz. ... 4s. And so on, increasing two shillings for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. B.—To Naval Seamen and Soldiers. Letters sent to or by Seamen and Soldiers in Her Majesty's service will b3 transmitted within the Colony, and between the Colony and any Post Office in the British dominions, at a charge ot Oue Penny, provided that tha following regulations are observed :— 1. Each letter must not exceed half an ounce in weight. 2. It mv.st be superscribed with the name of the writer, bis description or eixs.s in the vessel or regiment, and signed by the officer at the me in command 3. The postage must be pra-paid. Every letter of this description, posted or recoived iv thU Colony not in accordance with the foregoing regulation, will be treated as an ordinary etter 9.—FnEXTLETTERS. Letters on the public service of Her Majesty's 1 Naval and Military Forces, are exempted from the payment of postage, if bearing the words "On Her Majesty's Service," and the denature of the officer iv command of the force on the service of-which the j letter is despatched. But Mich letters cannot be •aansinittcd by any irregular route, or one entailing vlditioLutl exj)i?iis3 on the Colonial Government. Letters o:i the public service of the General Govarnmeut of the Colony are transmitted free by post, if bearing the wordn, "On the Public i-ferviee only,'' and the si.^natunj of some ollieer of the General <jovenuuent authorised to frank official lettera. 10.—llEOlSXEKKI) LETTERS. Legest ration Fee ... ... .. ... l s Ih addition to the ordinary postage chargeable on any letter. Except in special cases, as exhibited in table we "übjoined. ci NEWSPAPERS, 1. To any part of the Colony, if published in the Colony, and posted wituin seven days from publication .. •• Free If not published iuthe Colony, or not posted withiu seven days from publication, uach .. .. .. .. Id 2. To the Unite-1 Kingdon, via Southampton, or by direct shin ~ .. .. Free. To the United Kingdom, via Marseilles, <m:h .. .. .. ..3d. 3. To the Continent of Kurope. via Trieste, each ... ... ... ... 31. 4. To Syria and Turkey (not through the United K'nigloui), not exceeding two ounces ... ... ... ... Id And so on, at the nit f one penny for ever addi tional two om:c6rf. Note.- For the To.Anxi chargeable on Newspapers, forwarded u» other countries, through the United Kingdom, see table (A) Kubjuhiwl. BOOK PACKETS. 1. To any jKtrt of the Cokny, or to the United Kingdom, via Southampton Not exceeding 4oz ... ... ... 4d" Exceeding 4 oz., and not exceeding Boz .. Bd. „ ,Boz., „ „ 18 0z... Is. 4*l And so on, increasing eight pence for every additional half-pjun'l, pr fraction of hulf-a-pound." 2. To the following British Colonies— Ascension lonian Inlands Bermuda Natal -British West Indies New Brunswick Canada Newfoundland Cai« of Gtx>d Hope* Nova Scotia Falkland Inlands Prince Kdward Island Gambia St. Helena Gold Coa.<-t Siorra Leone Heligoland Vancouver's] Island Not exceeding 4 oz. ... ... ... 7d Exceeding 4 oz., aud not exceeding S oz. ... Is. 2d 8 oz,. ~ ~ W oz. ... 2s 4d. and s»o on, iiivrreasiiig one j-hiilinsr and two pence for evory half-pound, or fraction of half a-pound. I'KEI'AVKE.NT BY STAMPS. All^ letters, packet.*, and newspapers posted in New Zealaud, must be prepaid by ai&xing postage labels theeoluuy of Kummeui value. LO:>SB LKITBKS. AH letters received from beyund sea»,at any Post Onice in this Colony, which have not been regularly \KfoitiA at the pines of dtsjKitch (loose letters), are chargeable with full postage, according to the r.u«is established by the foregoing tables, unless they are letters which it is not compulsory by law to send by post, in which ease they are chargeable with the inland rate of postage only. fSSUCriCIKXT PATMRST. Letters and packets liable to more than one rate of l>ostage, ;;nd addressed to places within the Colony, or to tin? United Kingdom, it bearing at leiwt a single rate, will be forwarded and charged with the postage deficient, aud another single rate as a fine. Letter* and packets so addressed, and bearing less than a single rate of postage, and all letters and packets otherwise addre-ssed, not bearing the full jwsta^e chart cable, will be d'_ta< ed ami returned to the sendi rin all cases where practicable. Newspapers, if po>tcd without prepayment of the full amount of poot_a..;e chargeable, can neither be forwarded to their deputation nor returned to the sender ; but will be delivered or forwarded to the jicrson addressed, on application, within six months, at the office where same were pust«d, arid payment of the deficient postage in stamps. EOOK-riCKETS TO UK OI'ES FOR INSPECTION. Every book-packet shall lm sent open at the ends or sides, and there shall 1.-c no enclosure sealed or othc r\vt.*e elided a^iiinst inspection sent in or with such packet, nor .my thing- printed or written in the nut ure of a letter. CONTENTS. With the above limitation-;, a packet-book may contain any number of separate books, maps, prints, or pUofotrruph*, and any quantity of paper, vellum, or parchment, either printw!, written on, or plain, (exclusive ot' anything in the nature of a letter whether sealed or open,) with the binding, covering-, or niouutin<r attached or belonging- to such book, print, map, or photograph, and all things legitimately appertaining to or necessary for the transmis .ion ot' any enclosed literary or artistic matter, but exclusive of glass in any form. The names and address of the sender may appear on the cover. KRaiSTKATIOK. Any person can have a letter registered by affixing on it by means of the proper labels the amount of the registration fee, in addition to the proper postage, and presenting it at a Post OHice during oliice hours, ami at least one hour before the closing of the mail by which it is desired to be transmitted. Every precaution wiil b« adopted to ensure the safe delivery of a registered letter, by entering it on the letter bills, and obtaining areceipt for the same on delivery. As the Post Othee, however is not responsible for the loss oi any letter, whether registered or otherwise, persons sending bank notes or drafts are advised to take the numbers and particulars, and to cut the notes or drafts in halves, and to send them by different post RE-DIHECTION. Letters, newspapers, and packets wil be re-directed from one Post Olhce to another on the written instructions of the person addressed, but on re-direction are chargeable with a new and distinct rate of postage, to be paid on delivery. PENALTIES. Any person sending an exempt from postage letters not liable to xemption, or enclosing a communication in the najure of a letter in any newspaper oi book-packet areliable to a penalty of £20. BIZB AND WEIGHT. No book-packet or packet of newspapers will be received, nor will any Postmaster be required to receive any letter if it exceed two feet in length, one foot in width or depth, or three pounds iv weitrht. OVERLAND CARRIAGE. No Postmaster will be recpuired to receive any book-packet for transmission by an overland mail, fi from its weight or any other cause the packet appear calculated to retard the carrier. CROSBIE WARD. Postmaster-General.