CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE MAIL SERVICE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1864 Session I, D-01b

D.—No. Ib.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE MAIL SERVICE OF NEW ZEALAND.

PRRBERTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSBMBLI BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCE.

A IJ C X L A N D.

1864.

D.—No. I*.

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING CLAIMS OF IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT ON POSTAL ACCOUNT. No. Date. Writer and Subject of Paper. 1. 24th .Tune, 1863. Secretary of State to the Governor, with enclosures. 2. 3rd October, 1863. Memorandum by Secretary of General Post Office. 3. 20th March, 1864. Secretary of State to the Governor with enclosure*!. 4. 9th June, 1864. Memorandum by Secretary of General Post Office. 5. 23rd July, 1864. The Governor to the Secretary of State. 6. 4th August, 1864. Postmaster General to Secretary of State. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING PROPOSED INCREASE OF POSTAGE ON LETTERS TO AND PROM GREAT BRITAIN. 7. 26th January, 1864. Secretary of State to the Governor, with enclosures. 8. 3rd August, 1864. The Governor to Secretary of State, with enelosuro in reply. 9. 18th June, 1864. Secretary of Imperial Post Office to Postmaster General. 10. 25th August, 1864. Secretary of General Post Office to Secretary of Imporial Post Office, in reply. 11. 19th July, 1864. Secretary of Imperial Post Office to Postmaster General. 12. 30th September, 1864. Secretary of General Post Office to Secretary of Imperial Post Office, in reply. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING SYDNEY AND COOK'S STRAITS' BOAT CEASING TO BUN TO OTAOO. 13. sth April, 1864. Postmaster General to Manager of I.C.E.M. Company. 14. 20th April, 1864. Manager of I.C.E.M. Company to Postmaster General, in reply. 15. 3rd May, 1864. Postmaster General to Manager of I.C.E.M. Company. 16. 13th May, 1864. Messrs. Lawson and Hall to Postmaster General, in reply. 17. 15th June, 1864. Messrs. Lawson and Hall to Postmaster General. 18. 12th July, 1864. Postmaster General in reply. 19. 23rd July, 1864. H. Lawson to Postmaster General. 20. 26th July, 1864. Chairman of I. C. E. M. Company to Postmaster General with enclosures. 21. 28th July, 1864. Postmaster General to Chairman of I. C. E. M. Company, in reply. NOTICE TERMINATING CONTRACT WITH MESSRS. MCMECUAN AND BLACKWOOD. 22. 18th June, 1864. Postmaster General to Messrs. McMeehan and Blackwood. 23. Contract NOTICE TERMINATING CONTRACT WITH I.C.R.M. COMPANY. 24. 30th September, 1864. The Governor to Intercolonial Eoyal Mail Company. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING ESTABLISHING A STEAM SERVICE BETWEEN VICTORIA AND NORTH ISLAND. 25. 30th'June, 1864. Chairman of Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, to Postmaster General, with enclosure. 26. 4th July, 1864. Secretary General Post Office to Chairman in reply. 27. 20th August, 1864. Secretary of Chamber of Commerce to Secretary of General Post Office. R.i ■>~!-: 28. 26th September, 1864. Chief Secretary of A^ictoria to Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. 29. 14th November, 1864. Postmaster General, New Zealand, to Chief Secretary of Victoria, in reply. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING ESTABLISHING A STEAM SERVICE BETViEEN VICTORIA AND SOUTHERN PORTS, VIA COOK'S STRAITS. 30. 22nd June, 1864. Superintendent of Nelson to Colonial Secretary. 31. 2nd July, 1864. Colonial Secretary to Superintendent of Nelson, in reply. 32. 12th September, 1864. Superintendent of Nelson to Colonial Secretary, with enclosure. 33. 17th September, 1864. Colonial Secretary to Superintendent of Nelson, in reply. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING A STEAM SERVICE FROM SINGAPORE TO SYDNEY, VIA TORRES' STRAITS. 34. 12th September, 1864. Colonial Secretary of Queensland to Colonial Secretary of New Zealand. 35. 30th September, 1864. Colonial Secretary of New Zealand to Colonial Secretary of Queensland, in reply. CONTRACTS FOR INTER-PROVINCIAL SERVICES. 36. Contract with Intercolonial Eoyal Mail Company. 37. Contract with New Zealand Steam Navigation Company.

SCHEDULE OF PAPERS.

D.—No. 1b

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING OUTSTANDING CLAIMS OE THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT ON POSTAL ACCOUNT. No. 1. Downing Street, 24th June, 1863. Sib — I have the honour to transmit to you the copy of a letter, with its enclosures, from the Secretary to the Board of Treasury relative to the amounts which will be payable by the Australian Colonies and New Zealand on account of the Mail Packet Service, for the year from the Ist of January to the 31st December, 1863. I request that you will lay this despatch before your Eesponsible Advisers, with a view of obtaingiug at the proper period a settlement of the claim against the Colon)- under your Government. I have, &c, $c., Newcastle. Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Ac, &c, &c. Enclosure 1 to No. 1. Mr. Peel to Sir F. Sogers. i Sir, — Treasury Chambers, 23rd May, 1863. I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit herewith, copy of a letter from the Postmaster-General, dated 11th instant, together with copy of its enclosures relative to the amounts which will be payable by the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, for the year from ' the Ist of January to the 31st of December, 1863, in aid of the cost of the Packet Service : and I am to request that you will move the Duke of Newcastle to cause the necessary communications to be made to the Governments of the several Australian Colonies, and of New Zealand, with a view of obtaining a prompt settlement of these claims. I am, &c, F. Peel. Sir F Eogers, Bart,, &c, &c. i Enclosure 2 to No. 1. My Lords, General Post Office, 14th May, 1863. I.have the honour to enclose a copy of a report from the Eeceivcr and Accountant-General of the Post Office, accompanied by an account of the sums which will be payable, under the terms of your Lordships, Minute of the 25April, 1861, by each of the Colonies in Australia and Now Zealand, for the year from the Ist of January to the 31st December, 1863, in aid of the Packet Service.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO MAIL SERVICE OF NEW ZEALAND.

D.-No. Ib.

I request that your Lordships will be good enough to cause these particulars to be communicated to the Governments of the several Colonies, with a view to their taking steps for remitting the amounts due, in each case, previous to the 31st December next. I have, &c, Stanley of Alderley. The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Enclosure 3 to No. 1. Copy of a report from the Eeceiver and Accountant-General of the General Post Office, London, dated the sth May, 1863. 1. I beg to render an account of the sums due from the Australian Colonies and New Zealand in aid of the cost of the Packet Service to 31st December next. The account is in continuation of that which I rendered on 19th August, 1861, and which ran to 31st December last. 2. Tables A and Bshow the sums chargeable on each of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand in the years 1862 and 1863, respectively, for a proportion of the cost of the service between Southampton and Port de Galle. The total sum chargeable for each year is £15,058. 3. In dividing this charge for the year 1862, I have used the data (as to proportion of correspondence) which were employed in raising the other charges against each Colony for the years 1860, 1861, and 1862, but for the purpose of raising and dividing this and other charges for the year 1863, Ihave in obedience to the Treasury Minute of 15th November, 1858, prepared a fresh estimate of the proportions of correspondence, which fresh estimate will continue to be employed for similar purposes until the close of the year 1865. 4. In table C, the charge for the year 1863, on account of the service between Point de Galle and King George's Sound, viz., £42,223 19s. 7d., is divided (upon the fresh estimate of correspondence) between all the Australian Colonies and New Zealand. In Table D, the charge on account of the service between King George's Sound and Melbourne, viz., £17,572 Os. 6d., is divided between A'ictoria, New South AVales, New Zealand, Tasmania, and Queensland. In Table E, the charge for the service between Melbourne and Sydney, viz., £7,539 19s. lid., is divided between New South AVales, New Zealand, and Queensland. These three charges, viz. £42,223 19s. 7d., £17,572 Os. 6d., and £7,539 19s. lid., make up £67,336 which is a moiety of the cost of the Packet Service between Point de Galle and Sydney. 5. In tables F and G, the charge for the cost of mail boxes and the charge for Egyptian transit rate are divided between all the Australian Colonies and New Zealand. The charge for mail boxes is a moiety of the cost of those boxes, and the charge for Egyptian transit rate is, as the Secretary will remember, in accordance with the Treasury Instructions of the 12th October, 1860, in Packet Minute, 1,166 L. 6. Table His an account of the sums to be allowed to each of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand in consideration of overcharges in previous accounts. 7. In Table lis charged against the Colonies a moiety of the sum awarded to the Eoyal Mail Steam Packet Company by the recent decision of the Court of Queen's Bench, with interest and costs. The division is made on the principle and on the data employed in raising the charge on the Colonies in the account rendered for the years 1857-1859, at which time it will be remembered that the expenses were divided between the Colonies in proportion to the number of letters, irrespective of distance. 8. Table Kis an abstract of all the preceding tables and gives the total of the charges raised on each Cokny in Tables A to G, and Table I, the allowances to each Colony on account of overcharged, specified in table H, and the net result or difference between the charges on, and allowances to, each Colony. 0. In Table L the charges raised against each Colony in previous accounts, extending from Ist January, 1867, f o 31st December. 1 S(',2, and in the account now rendered up to 31st <jDecember, .1 SO';?, are recapitulated and aggregated; credit is given to each Colony for the remittances made by it up to the present time, and for any counter-claims which have been allowed ; and the net balance payable by each Colony before 31st December next is shown. 10. I think the account is very satisfactory. The total sum to be paid by all the Colonies before 31st December next is £241,056 18s. 3d., and the charges raised in the account now submitted make up £109,939 12s. 3d., so that the amount standing over from previous accounts is only £13,1117 (is., whereas, when the last account was rendered by me in 1861, the Colonies were in arrear to the extent of nearly £400,000. 11. It will be observed that New South AVales, South Australia, and Queensland have cleared off' all the charges raised againsl them in previous accounts, but that A'ictoria, Tasmania, New Zealand, and Western Australia are still in arrear in those accounts. The arrear due from Victoria on those accounts amounts to nearly £100,000, the arrear due from New Zealand is about £20,000, and the arrear due from Tasmania is about £12,000. The arrear due from Western Australia is inconsiderable.

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PAPERS RELATING TO THE

IT.-No. IB

NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.

A. Amount Chargeable on Australian Colonies and New Zealand for proportion of Packet Service between Southampton and Point de Galle, year ended 31st December, 1802, £15,058. COLONIES. No of Letters in ! Percentage for 1860. : each Colony. J ! Amount Chargeable for A'ear to 31st Dec. 1862. Victoria New South AVales ... South Australia New Zealand Tasmania Queensland AVestern A ustralia 1,257,400 438,600 178,300 260,700 93,400 39,100 28,500 2,302,000 I J_ 54,622 19,053 7,745 11,586 4.058 1,698 1,288 100,000 £ s. d. S,224 19 7 2,869 0 1 1,166 4 10 1,744 12 5 611 1 1 255 13 8 186 8 4 I 15,058 0 0 B. Amount Chargeable for above Service, year ending 31st December, 1SG3. Estimated No. of Percentage for Amount Chargeable for COLONIES. Letters in 1803. each Colony. Year to 81st Dec. 1863. £ s. d. Victoria ... .. ... 1,270,100 19,323 7,427 1 2 New South AVales ... ... 459,900 17,855 2,0HS 12 2 South Australia ... ... ... 209,400 8,130 1,224 4 3 New Zealand ... ... ... 420,200 16,814 2,456 11 3 Tasmania ... ... ... 103,200 4.008 603 4 6 Queensland ... ... ... 79,700 3.094 165 17 10 Western Australia ... ... 32,900 1,278 192 S 10 2,575,700 100,000 15,058 0 0 C. Amount Chargeable on Account of Service between Point de Galle and King George's Sound, year to 31st December, 18(53. ■ £ s. ~ Victoria ... ... • ■• 1,270,400 19,323 20,826 2 10 New South Wales ... ... 459,900 17.855 7,539 1 9 South Australia ... ... ... 209,400 8,130 3,132 16 1 New Zealand ... ... 120.200 16,311 6,88S 8 5 Tasmania ■ ■■ •■• 103.200 t,006 1.091 9 10 Queensland ... ... •• 79,700 3.091. 1,306 8 3 Western Australia ... ... 32,000 1.278 539 12 5 2,575,700 100,000 12.223 19 7 1). Amount, Chargeable on Account of Service between King George's Sound and Melbourne. ' £ s. d. Victoria ■■• ••■ '■-'"• 54,444 9.506 18 3 New South Wales ... ... 159,900 19,709 3,463 5 4 New Zealand ... ... ... t20,200 LS,00S 3.101 7 5 Tasmania ... ... 103,200 1,423 777 4 2 Queensland ... ... 79,700 3,416 000 2 5 2,333,400 100,000 17,572 0 0 E. Amount Char on Ace- tint of the Service between Melbourne and Sydney. New Smith AVales ... ... ... 159,900 17,916 3,612 17 3 New Zealand ... ... ■'■ 120,200 1-3,7 0 3,301 0 3 Queens!; ... ... 79,700 8,301 626 2 5 959,800 100,000 7,589 19 11 959,800

PAPERS RELATING TO THE

D.-No.lb,

F. Amount Chargeable on Account of Moiety 7 of the Cost of Mail Boxes. COLONIES. I i Estimated No. of Letters in 1803. Percentage for each Colony. Amount Chargeable for Year to 31st Dec. 1863. I Victoria New South "Wales South Australia New Zealand Tasmania Queensland Western Australia 1,270,400 459,900 209,400 420,200 ... 103,200 79,700 32,900 49,3 a 17,855 8,130 16,314 4,000 3,094 1,278 £ s. 616 10 223 3 101 12 203 18 50 1 38 13 15 19 d. 9 9 6 6 6 6 6 2,575,700 100,000 1,250 0 0 G. Amount Chargeable on Account of Egyptian sent ria Southamptoi Transit Hat on Newspapers | Estimated No. of Newspapers in 1803, I via Southampton. Percentage for each Colony. Amount Chargeable for Year to 31st Dec. 1803. COLON IKS. Victoria New South Wales South Australia New Zealand Tasmania Queensland Western Australia 781,800 282.700 158,400 367,800 109,000 55.200 28,800 43,954 15,891 8,619 20,679 6,129 3,104 1,624 £ s. d. 1,428 10 1 516 9 2 280 2 4 672 1 1 199 3 10 100 17 8 52 15 7 1.778,700 100,000 3,250 0 0 H. Statement of Amounts overcharged in the first Account prepared in this Office, to be credited to the Colonics in the present Account. Post Office Statement. Corrected Statement. From 1st Oct. COLONIES. 'Y 0-',"'- Js;1' ! Vi" Guarantee from 1889,5 months . w .,„ b , ,.,s. „, Total Boyal Mail Steam .,..„, iv , lg59 Packet Companj a Contract. From 1st Oct., is:,s. to middle of 158, ftoyal Hail Steam Packet Company's Contract, H months. Prom 12t'.i to Guarantee from *!*,£??- ]f 9' 1st July, 1858, to :,t ";»»»»''"r middle of Peb., »n.l oriental Total 1888, 7,months. „>u' 111" lat*et Company s ( on- , tract, £180,000. Amounts overcharged in l'ost Office Amount. £ S. (I. t s. (1. cl Victoria 22,482 10 3 L4.000 o 0 36,482 10 :1 New South Wales! 8,773 4 10 5,463 2 0 14,236 6 10 South Australia... 2,800 8 9 L.743 16 8 4544 5 5 New Zealand | 2.194 11 3 1,36611 0 3.561 2 3 Tasmania 1,941 6 11 j 1,208 17 4 3 L50 4 3 WestemAustralia 349 11 4 217 L3 0 507 4 4 £ s. (1. 20,234 5 3 7,895 IS 3 2.520 7 11 1,975 2 1 1,747 4 3 314 12 3 £ s. cl. j £ s. d. £ s. d. 13,126 o 0 2,445 8 11 35,804 9 2 5,121 18 1 \ 954 3 6 13,971 14 10 1,634 10 11 > 304 11 6 4.459 10 4 1,281 2 10 238 13 8 3.494 18 7 1,133 0 3 211 2 7 3,091 13 1 204 0 11 38 0 5 550 13 7 22,500 0 0 4,191 15 7 61,379 5 7 £ s. d. 078 1 1 20!. 12 0 84 9 1 00 3 S 68 11 2 10 lo 9 38,511 13 4 24,0 0 0 0 62 "II 13 I 34,687 10 0 1,162 7 9 I. Amount Chargeable on each of th due to the Eoyal Mail Steam P Mails between 1st July and Itl cent, per annum from 25th Iso of suit. c Colonies for Moiety of Balance of Subsidy 'acket Company for Conveyance of Australia it May, 185*), together with interest at 4 per vember, 1859, to date of Payment and Costs COLONIES. No. of Letters, 1857—1859. Percentage for earl i Colony. Amount Chargeable on each Colony. Victoria New South Wales ... South Australia New Zealand Tasmania Western Australia ... ... 798,000 311,400 99,400 77,900 68.900 12,400 58,333 22,763 7,266 5,694 5,037 907 £ s. d. 5,337 9 5 2,082 16 3 664 16 9 521 0 0 460 17 9 82 19 10 1,368,000 100,000 9,150 0 0

K. ABSTRACT of Tables A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I. COLONIES. A. Service between Southampton and Point de Galle, year to 31st Dec, 1862 (not previously charged). B. Servico between Southampton and Point de Galle year to 31st Doc, 1863. C. Service between Point de Galle and King George's [Sound, year to 31st Dec, 1863. D. Forvice between King George's Sound end Melbourne, year to 31st Dec, 1S63. E. Service between Melbourne and Sydney, year to 31st'Dec, 1863. F. Moiety of Cost of Mail Boxes, year to^ 31st Dec, 1863. G. Egyptian Transit Hate on Newspapers, via Southampton, year to 31st Dec, 1863. I. Moiety of Balance due to Royal Mail Steam Packet Company for Aus;ralian Service, from 1st July, 1858, to 4th May, 1S59. H. Overcharges in previous Account. Net Amount chargeable on each Colony year to 31st Dec, 1863. Total. Victoria New South Wales ... South. Australia New Zealand Tasmania ... Queensland Western Australia ... £ s. d. 8,224 19 7 2,869 0 1 1,166 4 10 1,744 12 5 611 1 1 255 13 8 186 8 4 £ s. d. 7,427 1 2 2,688 12 2 1,224 4 3 2,456 11 3 603 4 6 465 17 10 192 8 10 £ s. d. 20,826 2 10 7,539 1 9 3,432 16 1 6,888 8 5 1,691 9 10 1,306 8 3 539 12 5 £ s. d. 9,566 18 3 3,463 5 4 3,164 7 5 777 4 2 000 5 4 £ s. d. 3,01." 17 3 3,301' 0 3 £ s. d. 616 10 9 223 3 9 101 12 6 203 18 6 50 1 6 38 13 6 15 19 6 £ s. d. 1,428 10 1 516 9 2 280 2 4 672 1 4 199 3 10 100 17 8 52 15 7 £ s. d. 5,337 9 5 2,082 16 3 664 16 9 521 0 0 460 17 9 £ s. d. 53,427 12 1 22,995 5 9 6,869 16 9 18,951 19 7 4,398 2 8 3,393 18 8 1,070 4 6 £ s. d. 678 1 1 264 12 0 84 9 1 66 3 8 68 11 2 £ s. d. 62,749 11 0 22,730 13 9 6,785 7 8 18,885 15 11 4,334 11 6 3,393 18 8 1,059 13 9 626 2 5 82 19 10 10 10 9 Total ... 15,058 0 0 15,058 0 0 42,223 19 7 17,572 0 6 7,539 19 11 1,250 0 0 3,250 0 0 9,150 0 0 111,102 0 0 1,162 7 0 109,939 12 3 L. An Account showing the Amounts charged on the Australian Col< from the Colonies, the Claims of thi mies and New Zealand from 1st January, 1857, to 31st December, 1863, on a< ! Colonies for Branch Packet Services, and the Balances due from the Coloniei :couut to 81 if the Mai ; Decembi ilPa 3r, l! ,cket Servii 863. :e, the remittai icea received Dr. COLONIES. Account from 1st Jan. 1857, to 31st March, 18C1. Account from 1st April, 18G1, to 31st Mar., 18G2. Account from 1st April, 1862, to 31at Dec, 18G2. Account from 1st January to 31st Doc, 18G3. Total. COLONIES. Branch Packet Service. Sundries. Balance to 31st Dec, 1863. Total. Remittances. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £^ s. d. £ s. d. 74,033 16 4 50,000 0 0 20,000 0 0 30,580 7 5 30,000 0 0 4,757 0 0 43,637 8 8 18.442 7 0 12,655 13 5 6,752 9 9 1,215 0 1 16,590 8 2 1,208 17 5 5,000 0 0 6,000 0 0 5,000 0 0 6,000 0 0 6,000 0 0 5,672 0 2 5,090 7 8 1,239 11 6 382 1 0") 1,589 16 9j 1,130 6 5 1,161 2 6 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 0 1,429 15 7 BECEIVKD. July, 1862 Nov., 1862 Nov., 1862 # £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Victoria ... 206,431 3 9 40,033 11 6 26,764 19 8 52,749 11 0 325,979 5 11 Victoria 151,385 2 2 326,979 5 11 proceeds of Sale of Exhibition Gold New South Wales 78,776 9 8 18,442 7 0 12,655 13 5 22,730 13 9 132,605 3 10 New South Wales ... Dec, 1861 April, 1862 Jan., 1863! * •382 1 0 22,730 13 9 132,605 3 10 South Australia ... 20,612 2 2 ♦Transferred to Queensland 4,317 6 5 2,729 1 0 6,785 7 8 40,443 17 3 South Australia Aug., 1861 Feb., 1862 Jan., 1863 t Aug., 1861 Feb., 1862 Juno, 1862 Jan., 1863 # 2,776 9 10 6,837 10 0 |278 14 4 6,785 7 8 40,443 17 3 New Zealand 26,123 1 3 tEalance due to Colony on Postage Account. 11,532 17 7 7,883 5 4 18,885 15 11 64,425 0 1 New Zealand 39,425 0 1 64,425 0 1 Tasmania 17,196 3 7 3,291 16 9 2,087 4 11 4,334 11 6 26,909 16 9 Tasmania ... 16,147 8 11 26,909 16 9 Queensland ♦Transferred from New South Wales 1,239 11 6 382 1 0 | 1,589 10 9 Feb., 1862 1,130 C 5 3,393 18 8 7,735 14 4 Queensland April, 1862 3,393 18 8 7,736 14 4 Sept., 1862 * Western Australia 3,580 18 1 690 14 0 438 19 3 1,059 13 9 5,770 5 1 Western Australia t Aug., 18C1 Dec, 1861 1,189 7 0 6,770 6 1 360,341 11 0 79,898 10 0 53,689 10 0 109,939 12 3 603,809 3 3 353,538 9 10 8,612 19 10 660 15 4 241,066 18 3 603,869 3 S *Admiralt' Statement of 61 ;h January, 186( fLetter from Audit Office of 26th Marcl . 1861. (Signed) FRAA K IVES SC" 'AMOKE, ay 8, 1863.

7>.~ "So. In

No. 2. Memo. —The Secretary of State's Circular Despatch of the 24th June, 1863, prefers a claim against New Zealand of £39,425 Os. Id., on account of the Main Line of Steam Postal Communication between Great Britain and the Australian Colonies, up to the 31st December, 1863, this amount is made up as follows: — Ist Charges raised against the Colony in previous accounts extending from Ist January, 1857, to 31st March, 1862. 37,655 18 10 2nd Charges against the Colony for 9 months ending 31st December, 1862 _ - - - 7,883 5 4 3rd Charges against the Colony for the year ending 31st December, 1863 " 18,885 15 11 64,425 0 1 From which amount there are to be deducted Eemittances, the receipt whereof is acknowledged - - - 25,000 0 0 Eemittance made 31st August, 1863 7,350 0 0 32,350 0 0 £32,075 0 1 This balance has been accumulating for some years past, chiefly owing to the votes passed by the General Assembly for this service not being sufficient to defray the proportion exigible from the Colony. The charge for the year 1863 has been calculated on the basis of the Treasury Minute of the 15th November, 1858, which provides that each of the Colonies is to contribute to the moiety to be paid by them collectively in proportion to its correspondence. A fresh estimate of this proportion has been made for this year, which will be employed for similar purposes until the termination of the year 1865. This charge also includes the Egyptian transit rate on the Newspapers sent via Southampton, and a moiety of the cost of mail boxes. Mr. Ward in a Memorandum dated the 14th November 1861, published in the papers relative to Steam Postal Service, laid before the General Assembly in its last Session, D. No. 8, fol. 9, reviewed generally the claims of the Imperial Government on this account, stating also the objections which were to be urged against them. The Secretary of State in acknowledging the receipt of this Memorandum in a Despatch to His Excellency the Governor, dated 4th June, 1862, says:—" That the Lords Com- " missioners adhere in every respect to their previous decisions, as communicated to your Government "on this subject, and in conformity with their 1 ordship's desire, I have to instruct you te inform me " distinctly whether your Ministers accede to the demands made on the Colony on this account, or " whether "they prefer that New Zealand shall be withdrawn altogether from the main Contract." lam not aware that this Despatch has been replied to. In the face of this decision there seems no alternative, but to make provision for liquidating the out-standing claims of the Home Government, and to put on the Estimates a sufficient sum to cover tho subsidy to be paid by the Colony for the future. G. Eliott Eliott. General Post Office, Secretary. 3rd October, 1863. No. 3. Downing Street, 20th March, 1864. Sir,— I have the honor to transmit to you the copy of a letter, with its enclosures, from the Secretary to the Treasury, relative to the amount which will be payable by the several Australian Colonies and New Zealand on account of the Mail Packet Service for the year from the Ist of January, 1864. I request that you will lay this Despatch before your Eesponsible Advisers, with a view of obtaining at the proper period a settlement of the claim against the Colony under your Government. I have also to call your attention to the arrears due for this Service from New Zealand on account of previous years, and to request that early measures may be taken for payment of the amount. I have, &c, &c, Governor Sir Geerge Grey, X.C.8., Newcastle. &c, &c, &c. Enclosure 1 to No. 3. The Eight Honourable F. Peel to Sir F. Rogers, Bart. Treasury Chambers, 7th March, 1864. Sib,— I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit herewith a copy of a letter and of its enclosures from the Post MasCr General, dated 29th ult, forwarding an

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PAPERS RELATING TO THE

D —No. Ib.

account of the sums which will be payable by each of the Colonies in Australia, and New Zealand, for the year from the Ist January to the 31st December, 1864, in aid of the Packet Service ; and I am to request that you will move the Duke of Newcastle to cause the necessary communications to be made to the Governments of the several Australian Colonies and of New Zealand, with a view of obtaining as punctual a settlement of these claims as possible. I am further to observe that all the arrears due by the different Governments, and those of Tasmania and New Zealand in particular, where the arrears are proportionably so large, ought to be paid promptly. I am, &c, F. Pekl. Sir F. Rogers, Bart., &c, &c., &c. Enclosure 2 to No. 3. General Post Office, 29th February, 1864. My Lords, I have the honour to transmit the copy of a report from the Receiver and Accountant-General of the Post Office, covering an account of the sums which will be payable, under the terms of your Lordship's Minute of the 25th April, 1861, by each of the Colonies in Australia and New Zealand for the year from the Ist January to the 31st December, 1864, in aid of the Packet Service. I request that your Lordships will bo good enough to causo these particulars to be communicated to the Governments of the several Colonies, with a view to their taking steps for remitting the amounts due in each case previous to the 31st December next, I have, &c., (Signed) Stanley of Alderlet. The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Enclosure 3 to No. 3. For the Secretary. February, 1864. I beg to render an account, in duplicate, of the sums due from fhe Australian Colonies and New Zealand in aid of the cost of the Packet Service to 31st December next. 2. Tables A to F of the present account are identical with Tables B to G of the account for the year 1863, which were fully explained in my report of sth May, 1863. 3. In Table G is charged against the Colonies half the salaries of the Naval Agents employed on the Australian Line of Packets. 4. Table II shows the amount chargeable on the Colonies for a proportion of the cost of the special Packets employed between Dover and Calais. 5. The charges in Tables G and H are raised against the Colonies this year for the first time. 6. Table I is a recapitulation of Tables A to H, and shows the total charge against each Colony for the current year. 7. Table Kis an account current in continuation of that forwarded last year. In it credit is given to the Colonies for the remittances received during the year, and for such counter claims for Branch Packet Services as have been authorized during the year, and the balances payable before 31st December next are shown. 8. It will be seen that the arrear due on account of previous years, which in the last account rendered amounted to £131,117 65., has been reduced to £93,276 Is. lOd. The arrear from Victoria, which last year was nearly £100,000, is now but £41,000. That duo from New Zealand has, on the other hand, increased from £20,000 to £32,000. The Colonies of New South AVales and Queensland have paid the whole, charge raised against them for 1863 ; the arrear due from Tasmania is nearly £13,000 ; and from South Australia and Western Australia the arrears are ■ inconsiderable. (Signed) F. J. Scudamore.

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NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.

PAPERS RELATING TO THE

No. Ib.

mount chargeable on Australian Col portion of Packet Service between Year ending 31st December, 1864. lonies and New Zealand lor proSouthampton and Point de Galle, COLONIES. No. of Letters in 1863. Percentage for each Colony. Amount chargeable on each Colony, Year 1861. Victoria New Soutli Wales South Australia New Zealand Tasmania ... Queensland Western Australia 1,270,400 459,900 209,490 420,200 103,200 79,700 32,900 49,323 17,855 8,130 16,814 4,006 3,094 1,278 £ 7,427 2,688 1,224 2,456 603 465 192 S. 1 12 4 11 4 17 8 d 2 2 8 8 G 10 10 2,575,700 100,000 15,058 0 0 B—Amount chargeable on account of Service between Pom George's Sound. de Galle and King Victoria New Soutli Wales South Australia New Zealand Tasmania ... Queensland Western Australia 1,270,400 459,900 209,400 420,200 103,200 79,700 32,900 2,575,700 49,823 17.855 8,130 16,314 4,006 3,094 1,278 20,820 2 10 7,539 1 9 3.132 16 1 6,8SS 8 5 1,691 9 10 1,306 8 3 539 12 5 100,000 42,223 19 7 C—Amount chargeable on account of Service bet Melbourne. reen King eorge's Sound and Victoria New South Wales New Zealand Tasmania ... Queensland... 1,270,400 459,900 420,200 103,200 79,700 5A.441 19,709 18,008 4,423 3,416 9,566 3,463 3,161 777 600 IS 5 7 4 5 3 4 5 2 4 2,838,400 100,000 17,572 0 6 D— Amount chargeable on aco •unt of the Se: Sydney. rvice between Melbourne and New Soutli "Wales New Zealand Queensland 459,900 420,200 79,700 47,916 43,780 8,304 3,612 17 3 3,301 0 3 626 2 5 959,800 100,000 7,539 19 11 E —Amount chargeable on acc< •tint of Moiety if the Cost if Mail Boxes. Victoria New Soutli Wales South Australia New Zealand Tasmania ... Queensland "Western Australia 1,270,400 459,900 209,400 420,200 103,200 79,700 32,900 49,323 17,855 8,130 16,314 4,006 3,094 1,278 616 10 223 3 101 12 203 18 50 1 38 18 15 1!) 9 9 G G 6 G G 2,575,700 100,000 1,250 0 0

D.-No. in

NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.

F—Amount chargeable for Egy Si )tian Transit Rate on Newspapers sent via luthampton. COLONIES. Newspapers via Southampton in 1863 Percentage for each Colony. Amount chargeable on each Colony, Year 1864. Victoria New South Wales ... South Australia New Zealand Tasmania Queensland Western Australia... 781,800 282,700 153,400 367,800 109,000 55,200 28,800 43,954 15,891 8,619 20,679 6,129 8,104 1,624 £ 1,428 516 280 672 199 100 52 s. 10 9 2 1 3 17 15 d. 1 2 4 4 .10 8 7 1,778,700 100,000 3,250 0 0 G—Amount chargeable for Moiety of Expense Mails on the Australian Packets (3 Of ann. each. Total Expense, £645 per an >f Naval Officers in charge of cers employed), at £215 per L. COLONIES Victoria ... New South Wales ... South Australia New Zealand Tasmania... Queensland Western Australia ... COLONIES. S. No. of Letters in ; Percentage for ; Amount chargeable on 18(53. | each Colony, each Colony, Year 1864. ! £ IT 1,270,400 49,323 » 159 1 4 459,900 17,855 57 11 8 209,400 s.130 26 4 5 120,200 16,814 52 12 3 103,200 4,000 12 18 4 79,700 3.094 9 19 7 32,900 1,278 4 2 5 2,575,700 100,000 322 10 0 Half olwir^e:il)le on Colonies. H—Amount chargeable for proportion of Cost of Special Packets for Indian and Australian Mails between Dover and Calais. Estimated Annual Cost of Special Packets £500 Less proportion chargeable for Jiidia^i 31aila 1C0 A mouut chargeable for Australian Mails .... .... -100 Moiety chargeable on the Colonies .... 200 Victoria ... New South Wnles ... South Australia Jfew Zenland Tasmania... Queensland Western Australia ... '" 1.270,400 459,900 209,-100 ■120,200 103.200 79.700 32,900 !0,323 17,S5S 8,130 16,314 1.006 3,094 1,278 98 35 16 32 S 6 2 12 14 5 12 0 3 11 11 2 2 7 3 9 2 2,57.3,700 100,000 200 0 0

I.— An Account showing the Amounts chargeable on the Australian Colonies and New Zealand on account of the Mail Pae ending 31st December, 1861. ket ervice or ear A. B. C. D. E. P. G. H. Colonies. Service bet wecu Southampton ami Point de Galle. Service between Point dc Galle and King George's Sound, Service between Service between Kg. George's Sound Melbourne and and Melbourne. Sydney. Moiety of Cost LKgyp*!" Transit, J 0 f I Kate on JS e wspapers Mail Boxes. Q t .via . Southampton. ., • , „ -p, Proportion of Cost Moiety ot Expense * <• m charge of Mails. Dovcr and CaJais Total. Victoria New South Wales ... South Australia New Zealand Tasmania Queensland Western Australia.. £ 7,427 2,68S 1,221 2,456 603 465 192 .5. 1 12 4 11 4 17 8 d. 2 2 3 3 6 10 10 £ 20,826 7,539 3,132 6,888 1,691 1,300 539 s. 1 16 8 9 8 12 d. 10 9 1 5 10 3 5 £ s. 9,560 18 3,463 5 3,164 7 777 4 600 5 d. 3 4 5 2 4 ! £ s. 3,612 17 3,301 0 626 2 d. 3 3 5 £ 616 223 101 203 50 38 15 ,250 s. 10 8 12 18 1 13 19 0 d. 0 0 t; 6 £ 1,128 516 280 672 199 100 52 3,250 s. 10 9 2 1 3 17 15 0 1 4 4 10 8 7 0 £ 159 57 26 52 12 9 4 322 s. d. £ 14 98 11 8 35 4 5 10 12 3 32 18 1 8 19 7 6 2 5 2 10 0 200 s. 12 14 5 12 0 3 11 0 d. 11 2 2 7 3 9 2 0 £ 40,122 18,136 5,081 16,771 3,342 3,154 807 s. 17 15 4 12 2 8 9 d. 4 3 9 0 5 4 11 15,058 0 o 42,223 19 7 17,572 0 6 I 7,539 19 11 1,250 0 0 1 3,250 0 0 87,416 10 o K.—Account Current for the Year ending 31st, December, 1861, in continuation of that rendered for the year 1863. Dr. C r . Colonies. I Balance shown on Amount chargeable account to for 1864 31st Dec, 1803. by above Statement. Total. Colonies. Itcmittances. I Colonics. Itcmittances. Branch Packet Service. Balance to TYitat 31st Dec, 1861, 10TAL' Victoria New South AVales ... South Australia New Zealand Tasmania Queensland AVestern Australia... •" .... . • J6 s. d. j £ ». d. 151,385 2 2 ; 40,122 17 4 22,730 13 9 ! 18,136 15 3 6,785 7 8 j 5,081 4 9 ' 39,425 0 1 16,771 12 0 16,147 8 11 3,312 2 5 3,393 IS 8 3,154 8 4 1,189 7 0. 807 9 11 £ s. 191,507 19 10,867 0 11,866 12 56,196 12 19.4S9 11 6,548 7 1,996 10 d. 6 0 5 1 O 11 . ' i £ s. d. I 1863 ,.. , . r 57,214 3 2 ! 6th June. Vlctona I 50,000 0 0i 23rd June. New South AVales ... 22,730 13 9 27th Nov. Q •' _ A .,. (| 581 17 4 19th Aug. South Australia ... ( m 4 ( . 20th No ° New Zealand 7,350 0 0 20th Nov. Tasmania Queensland 3,393 18 8 10th Nov. AVestern Australia j 141,943 17 5 £ } | 2,575 0 I 3,201 19 I 5,836 19 I d. 0 0 0 £ s. d.\ £ s. 84,293 16 4 191,507 19 18,136 15 3 40,867 9 8,036 10 7 11,866 12 48,816 12 1 56,196 12 16,227 12 4 19,489 11 3,154 8 4 6,548 7 1,996 16 11 1,996 16 180,692 11 10 328,473 8 d. 6 0 5 1 4 0 11 3 241,056 18 3 87,416 10 0 328,473 8 3 180,692 11 10 328,473 8 3 General Post Office, 23rd February, (Signed) EEANK TVES SCUDAMOEE, Receiver and Accountant General. V 864.

D.—No. 1b

No. 4. MEMOEANDTJM on the Secretary of State's Circular Despatch of 20th March, 1864, enclosing Accounts against New Zealand for Contribution to Main Line of Steam Service between Great Britain and Australia. 1. The balance due by the Colony for this service to December, 1863, as shown by the accompanying Memorandum (24th June, 1863) on the Despatch enclosing the amounts, was £32,075 Os. Id., from which there is to be deducted a remittance of £6000 made in February 1864, leaving a balance of £26075 Os. Id. 2. It was arranged, I believe, that Mr. Wood, while in England, was to settle this, with other outstanding accounts against the New Zealand Government. Assuming, therefore, that this will be done to 31st December, 1863, the account will stand thus : — Proportion of expense chargeable to New Zealand, to 31st December, 1864 - -■ - - - - - £16,771 12 0 Deduct balance of vote of General Assembly by Estimates for 1863-64, to be remitted £6,000 0 0 Showing a balance to be provided for of ... £10,771 12 0 3. The remark which I made on the account received last year as to the insufficiency of the vote taken from the General Assembly, equally applies to this account: for instance, the sum charged for the twelve months ending 31st December, 1804, is £16,771 12s. Od., whereas the vote of the General Assembly for the twelve months ending 30th June, 1864, is £12,000 ; and the proportion chargeable to New Zealand will increase in consequence of its rapidly increasing population. G. Eliott Eliott, Secretary. General Post Office, Auckland, 9th June, 1864. No. 5. Government House, Auckland, 23rd July, 1864. Sir, — In reply to your Circular Despatch, of the 20th March last, relative to the amount payable by the Colony of New Zealand, on account of the Mail Packet Service, I have the honor to state that my Responsible Advisers inform me that Mr. E. Wood was authorised to settle all accounts with the Imperial Government, up to the 31st December, 1863, and the Government of New Zealand hope that this will have been done prior to the receipt of this Despatch, and that the contribution towards the Suez mail subsidy for the half-year ending 30th June, 1864, shall be remitted by the August mail, unless this Government, in the meantime, hear that Sir. Wood (as is possible) may have paid it in London. I have, &c, G. Grey. The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P., &c„ &c, <fee. No. 6. General Post Office, Auckland, 4th August, 1864. Sir — I have tie honor, in the absence of His Excellency the Governor from Auckland, to enclose a Draft on the Bank of New Zealand, London, for Eight thousand three hundred pounds, in favor of Her Majesty's Postmaster-General, on account of the contribution due from New Zealand to the main line of Steam Service between Great Britain and Australia, and also of the commuted payment of Three hundred pounds per annum for letters between Australia and New Zealand. I have, &c, Thomas B. Gillies, Postmaster-General. The Right Honorable H.M. Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c, Ac, <fee

11

NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.

D.—No. 1b

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING PROPOSED INCREASE OE POSTAGE ON LETTERS DESPATCHED BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND AUSTRALIAN COLONIES AND NEW ZEALAND, EROM 6d. TO Is. THE HALE-OUNCE LETTER. No. 7. Downing-street, 26th January, 1564. Sir — I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, stating that, on and after the Ist of July next, the postage on letters despatched from this country to the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, via Southampton, will be raised to one shilling the half-ounce letter, and via Marseilles, to one shilling and fourpence, together with some other minor charges. You will be good enough to lay this communication before your Responsible Advisers, for their consideration, and also in order that these changes may become publicly known. I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c, Ac, &c. Enclosure 1 to No. 7. The Hon. F. Peel to Sir F. Rogers. Treasury Chambers, 11th January, 1864. Sir,— I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you that the Postmaster-General has called the attention of this Board to the question of raising the postage on letters to the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, with a view to diminish the loss at present sustained in this service, and my Lords concur with His Lordship in opinion that steps should be taken for this purpose. I am to observe that the increase from 6d. to Is. the half-ounce, which took effect more than six months ago in the charge upon letters between this country and the West Indies, and the Cape of Good Hope, and Natal —these last Colonies, like those in Australia, with a considerable emigrant population —has had a very satisfactory result. The Cape service, which, at the lower rate of postage, and the greater amount of subsidy paid, was, until then, attended with great loss, is now self-supporting, whilst the loss sustained in the service to and from the West Indies, has been greatly reduced, very little diminution of correspondence having followed the increase in the rate of postage. My Lords have every reason to believe that similar satisfactory results would attend an augmentation in the rate of postage on letters to the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, and they therefore request that the Duke of Newcastle will inform the Governments of those Colonies that, on the Ist of July next, the postage on all letters despatched from this country to those Colonies, via Southampton, will be raised to one shilling the half-ounce letter, and the postage on letters sent via Marseilles will be raised to one shilling and fourpence the half-ounce letter, but that at the same time with a view to relief being afforded to the correspondence of the poorer class of emigrants, the postage on letters conveyed by private ship will be reduced to 4d. the half-ounce letter. My Lords further request that the Duke of Newcastle will, in making this communication to the Governments of the respective Colonies, observe to them that each Colony will be at liberty to alter to such extent as it may think proper the postage on letters despatched to or through the United Kingdom. I am to state further that my Lords propose that, simultaneously with the raising of the postage on letters to the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, the scale of weight should be modified, and made to correspond with the scale recently adopted in respect of letters exchanged with the British West Indies, Cape of Good Hope, &c. Under this amended scale, one rate of postage will be charged for each half-ounce that a letter may weigh, so that a letter weighing more than an ounce, but not more than 1^ ounce, will be charged three rates of postage ; a letter weighing more than 2 ounces, but not more than 2^ ounces, four rates of postage, instead of five and six rates respectively, as under the existing scale ef progression.

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PAPERS RELATING TO THE

D.—No. I*.

It will, however, be for the Colonial Post Offices to decide whether they will adopt thoße charge* with regard to letters despatched to or through the United Kingdom or not, as they may feel disposed. T am, Ac, F. Pekl. Sir F. Rogers, Bart., Ac, Ac, Ac. No. 8. Government House, Auckland, 3rd August, 1864. -Adverting to your Circular Despatch of the 26th of January, 1864, transmitting the copy of a Letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, dated 11th January, 1864, regarding an increase on.the rate of postage to this Colony, I have the honor to enclose for your information a Memorandum 1 have received from my Responsible Advisers in relation to this subject. I have, Ac, G. Gbet. Hie Eight lion. Edward Cardwell, M.P.. Ac, Ac, Ac. Enclosure to No. 8. MEMORANDUM for His Excellency the Governo». Referring to the Circular Despatch of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 26th January. TB6l, enclosing copy of a Letter from the Treasury stating that from and after Ist July, 1864, the Postage on Letters from Great Britain to New Zealand, via Southampton and Marseilles would be raised, and leaving it to the Colony to determine whether a similar increase in Postage should be made on letters despatched from the Colony. His Excellency is respectfully requested to inform Her Majesty's Government that it is not the intention of the Colonial Government to make any alteration in the present rates of postage on letters despatched from this Colony. Ministers would further desire respectfully to represent to the Imperial Government that whilst it is no doubt desirable to approximate the Postal revenue to the expenditure, this result is in their opinion more likely to be obtained by encouraging increased correspondence than by checking correspondence by a high rate of postage. No doubt the increased rate of postage will make but little difference in the" number of business letters, but on the large class of friendly correspondence especially be! ween poor emigrants and their generally poorer home friends, the alteration in postage will have a considerable influence —it will tend to sever the ties between the colonists and the mother country, and to lessen that community of feeling which it is so desirable to cultivate between Great Britain and her Colonies —results which will be dearly bought by the saving of a few thousands of pounds to the Posta Department. The reduction of postage by sailing ships is practically valueless as few persons will write by an opportunity which only promises a reply in about eight orine n months. Ministers would respectfully ask the Home Author)'. Irs fo ro-considcr their dcision which is in effect a reversal of the enlightened and successful policy initialed by Sir Rowland Hill, in the penny postage system of Great Britain. Tuns. B. Gillies, Postmaster- General. General Post Office, Auckland, 2nd August, 1864. No. 9. General Post Office, 18th June, 1864. Sir,— You have no doubt been informed by the Government of New Zealand that Her Majesty's Government have come to the determination to raise, on the Ist July next, the postage upon letters sent from tins country to New Zealand by packet, via Southampton, from sixpence to one shilling the half ounce, and via Marseilles from tenpence to one shilling and fourpeuce the half ounce, and simultaneously In reduce the postage on letters forwarded by private ship from 6d. to 4d. the half ounce. It has also been decided that the scale of progression for charging letters above one ounce in weight shall be modified, and that a single additioned rate shall be charged for every half ounce, instead of adding as at present, two rales for every ounce or fraction of an ounce after the first. The effect of this will be that a letter sent by packet via Southampton, weighing more than one ounce, but under one ounce and a half, will be liable to a postage of 3s. instead of 45., and if exceeding two ounces, but under two and a-half ounces to a postage of os. instead of'Gs , and so on.

13

NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.

D.—No. ITS.

It lias been left to the Government of New Zealand to adopt similar arrangements as regards letters sent from the Colony to the United Kingdom, or to maintain the present rates, as they may think fit. It may be expected that for some time after the altered rates of postage are carried into operation and until the new arrangements become generally known, many letters will be posted in this country, paid, at the present rates, and in order to avoid the necessity of opening and returning such letters for the deficient postage, the Postmaster-Gleueral proposes for a time to have them forwarded as insufficiently paid, charged with the deficiency, and a fine of one rate in addition, according to the practice at present pursued with regard to insufficiently paid letters. I am, Ac, F. Hill. The Postmaster-General. Ac, Ac, Ac. Auckland. No. 10. New Zealand General Post Office, Auckland, August 25th. 1864. Sib,— M 1 have the honor, by direction of the Postmaster-General of New Zealand, to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. F. Hill's letter quoted in the margin, (569 P., 18th June, 1864) stating that Her Majesty's Government had come to the determination to raise, on the Ist July last, the postage upon letters'sent from the United Kingdom to New Zealand by packet via Southampton, from sixpence to one shilling the half ounce; and via Marseilles from tenpence toone shilling and fourpence the half ounce. It is trot intended to make any alteration in the rates of postage on letters despatched from this Colony to the United Kingdom, as the New Zealand Government is of opinion that whilst no doubt it is desi te the Postal Revenue to the expenditure, this result is more likely to be obtained by encouraging an increase in the amount of correspondence, than by increasing the rate of postage. No doubt the iuci cased rate of postage will make but little difference in the number of business letters, but on the large class of friendly correspondence, especially between poor emigrants and their generally poorer home friends, the alteration in postage will have a considerable influence; it will tend to sever rhe ties between the colonists and the mother country, and to lessen that community of feeling which it is desirable to cultivate between Great Britain and her Colonies—results which will bo dearly bought by the m\ tag of a few thousand pounds. The Postmaster-General would be glad to hear that Her .Majesty's Government have been induced to reconsider their decision in this matter, which is in effect a reversal of the enlightened and successful policy initiated by Sir Rowland Hil! in the penny postage system of Great Britain. I. have, &c, G. Eliott Eliott, The Secretary, General Post Office, Secretary. London. No. 11. General Post Office. London, 19th July, 1864. Snt — In a letter dated the 18th ultimo, I informed you, with reference to a previous communication to the Government of New Zealand, that on the Ist instant, the postage of letters sent by packet from the United Kingdo Australian Colonies and New Zealand, via Southampton, would be raised from sixpence to one shilling, a corresponding increase of charge being made on letters sent via Marseilles. Simultaneously it was intended to reduce from sixpence to fourpence the postage of letters forwarded to »lonies by private ship. I am nc-.v directed by the Postmaster-General to acquaint you that, in consequence of the objections which have been strongly urged, on behalf of the Colonies, to the proposed augmentation of the postage, it has beeij determined, until there has been time for further communication on the subject with the Australian Colonial Governments, to suspend the measure. The old rites of postage will therefore continue for the present to be collected in this country. I am. Ac, F. Hill. The Postmaster-General, Ac, Ac, Ac Auckland. No. 12. General Post Office. Auckland, 30th Sept., 1864. Si it —. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter noted in the margin (726 P. 19th July, 1564) stating that in consequence of the objections which have been strongly urged against the

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PAPERS RELATING TO THE

D.—No. Ib,

proposed increase in the postage of letters sent by Mail Packet from Great Britain to the Australian Colonies, it has been determined to suspend this measure. I am directed to inform you that the New Zealand Government is glad to learn that such a determination has been come to by Her Majesty's Postmaster-General. I have, Ac, G. Eliott Eliott, The Secretary, General Post Office, Secretary. London. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING DISCONTINUANCE OE SYDNEY AND COOK'S STRAITS MAIL STEAMER TO RUN TO LYTTELTON AND PORT CHALMERS. No. 13. General Post Office, Auckland, sth April, 1864. Sir, In the reconstruction of the Interprovincial Mail Services, there appears to have been overlooked the trip of the " Prince Alfred " from Nelson to Otago and back, intermediate between her Sydney and Nelson voyages, and for which a subsidy of £1,600 is at present paid. On referring to the time table for the other Services, which was specially constructed at Captain Hall's request, with a view to the correspondence between the interprovincial boats and the Sydney and Nelson boat, it will be seen that the " Prince Alfred" and the " Phcebe" would be running against each other from Nelson to Otago and back. This cannot be an advantageous arrangement for the Company, and I see no reason for lhe Colony paying a subsidy for two steamers of tho same Company running about the same dates. I therefore propose to determine tho subsidy of the " Prince Alfred" between Nelson and Otago at the earliest date consistent with placing the Company at as little inconvenience as possible. Be so good as to inform me without delay when the Company will be prepared to forego the subsidy above referred to, as I should be unwilling to inconvenience the Company by a formal notice after the satisfactory manner in which the Company, through Captain Hall, met the desires of the Government in reference to the additional Interprovincial Services. I have, Ac, Thomas B. Gillies. The Local Manager I. C. E. M. Company. No. 14. Intercolonial Eoyal Mail Company, Sydney and New Zealand, Sydney, .April 20th, 1864. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of sth March (April), requesting to be informed " when the Company will be prepared to forego the subsidy at present paid to Cook's " Straits' steamer for service south of Nelson." I am certainly very much astonished at the proposal, because you ask me on behalf of this Company to consent to the virtual destruction of the Cook's Straits'line, by relinquishing, without any equivalent, that part of it which from the first the New Zealand Government urged us to perform, and which we only lately succeeded in doing. See my letter of April 13th, 1863, addressed to Mr. Header AVood, informing him that we were prepared to undertake the extended service to Otago, in accordance with Mr. AVard's earnest desire, at the interview I had with him at Melbourne prior to his leaving for England. It is by no fault of ours that the Southern part of the Cook's Straits' line is made to appear superfluous ; nor need it have been so, because the extra boat might have been arranged to leave 28th to meet it at AVellington or Nelson —performing the northern part of the service. Eoferring to recent arrangements, it was fully understood that the services were to be two on each coast; that the then existing lines, Manukau leaving 24th and Cook's Straits, wero not to be disturbed, except the dates by a day or two, and my tender was based upon this for a fortnightly service. See letter March 29th, in which I stipulate that " the present west coast boat (i.e. " Phcebe," leaving " Manukau 24th) keep up the same communication as hitherto," or correspondence with Cook's Straits' steamer by calling at AVellington and Picton ; thus completing the connection between these ports and Sydney via Nelson, as provided for by agreement with New Zealand Government, November 1862, so that the convenience of the public should be studied as well as our interests.

15

NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.

D,—so. 1b

In corroboration, the dates you gave me South, in Marsh, at Lyttelton, were to leave Auckland 2nd and 18th, i.e. fortnightly; Manukau 9th and 25th, i.e. fortnightly. Why the company's interests and bona fide arrangements are sacrificed in order to introduce a third boat, I am at a loss to know. Nor was a third west-coast service ever mentioned even up to the last moment, when as the steamer was leaving the quay you gave me the new dates, viz.— " Airedale " leave Manukau Bth, and Otago 25th; " Phoebe " leave Manukau 28th, and Otago 15th, and arrive at Manukau 24th. Of course I had no time then to examine the operation of them —barely only to note them down ; but it was soon apparent subsequently, and therefore I made my request for the modification of the recent alteration, and have instructed Mr. Jervis to see you, that this important matter may be at once gone into and set right afain, making the complete connection between " Phcebe " and Sydney steamer on upward passage, by the former calling for AVellington and Picton passengers. I had little idea that after negotiating with you in good faith on the principal of a fortnightly service (see letter March 19th), hut that this was an oversight (and the shifting " Phoebe" from 24th to 28th, and thus overrunning the route of the Cook's Straits' boat on her downward passage), and that so great an injustice would be proposed as to abolish the Cook's Straits' line, which I affirm was distinctly agreed to remain unchanged. In your letter of March 31st you agree to the stipulations contained in mine of the 29th, subject to certain modifications, not at all affecting the question at issue. If " Phoebe " had been put back three or four days, from the 28th to 25th, 24th, or 23rd, as agreed with Mr. AVard, the third service might have been arrived at thus, viz., leave Manukau 28th, five days after " Phcebe." You most distinctly told me in conversation that you would take care in making the new arrangements that one boat did not run over the other. In your letter of sth March (April) you mention the satisfactory manner in which the desires of the Government have been met in reference to additional interprovincial services ; and I must say that notwithstanding my readiness on all occasions to meet the reasonable wishes of the Government, I very much rcret to observe a want of reciprocity, and that the concessions continually made by the Company are followed by harder terms. In conclusion, I have to submit that the Cook's Straits' line was, by letter of November 14, 1562, incorporated into the original contract and terminable only with it; therefore as your proposal is not the mere giving up of £1,600 per annum, but destroying a line, and introducing a principle which may be applied to any of the Company's lines, I must refer the question to the Directors. I would again press upon you the request which I have instructed Mr. Jervis to make, viz., that the dates may be so modified as to adjust the services in some degree of accordance with the spirit of the negotiations lately completed. Trusting you will see the justice of my request, I have, Ac. The Hon. Thomas B. Gillies, JonN Vine Hall. Postmaster General, Ac, Ac, Ac, New Zealand. No. 15. New Zealand, Auckland, 3rd May, 1864. Sib, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 20th ultimo, and regret that the tone of yours compels me to enforce as a right that which I had hoped to accomplish by mutual arrangements. I cannot assent to your proposition that the extra services from Nelson to Otago commenced under two separate arrangements, at two separate subsidies, the last only agreed to by you in April 1863 were by agreement of November, 1862, incorporated with the original contract, so as to be only terminable with it. Nor can I assent to your statements that in the recent arrangements for additional Interprovincial services any additional stipulation was made in reference to the correspondence northwards of the " Phcebe " with tho Cook's Straits' boat; the conversations referred to by you were no part of these arrangements, and occurred prior to any system of Interprovincial service having been determined on by me. The alteration of the " Phcebe from 24th to 28th did not, under the stipulations of the original contract, require the Company's assent ; it was made in order to keep up the correspondence of the " Phcebe " southwards with both the Auckland and Cook's Straits' lines, and you must see that the additional services which the public necessities of the Colony demanded (and which your Company were not in a position to undertake, and which were therefore not mentioned to you), rendered it impossible that the " Phcebe " could be made to correspond with the Cook's Straits' line on both the northward and southward route ; I therefore adopted a time table which appeared to me to be best adapted for the efficiency of the public service. • I have now to give you notice, that payment of the subsidy for the line from Nelson to Otago, in continuation of the Cook's Straits' Intercolonial line, will cease in three months from this date, that line having become unnecessary for the postal service of the Colony. Your remarks as to concessions being continually made by the Company 1 am at a loss to understand, as on examination of the mode in which the contracts have hitherto been performed by the Company shows that the Government of New Zealand have dealt with the Company with the utmost tenderness, and have in numerous iustances waived tho enforcement of terms of the contracts which would have proved exceedingly inconvenient to the Company. It is, however, unnecessary for me to enter into a discussion of this and other statements in your letter, which have no real bearing on the point at issue. I have, Ac, The Goneral Manager I. C. E. M. Company, TnoMAS B. Gillhs. Sydney.

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PAPERS RELATING TO THE

D.—No. In.

No. 16. Intercolonial Eoyal Mail Company. Sydney and New Zealand. Sydney, May 13th. 1864. Sib,— •In the absence of Captain Hall, (who is on his voyage to England,) we have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, addressed to him in answer to his letter to you of the 20th April last, in which, for the reasons therein stated, you give notice that the payment of the subsidy for the line from Nelson to Otago in continuation of the Cook's Strait Intercolonial Line, will cease in three months from the date of your letter, that line having become unnecessary tor the Postal arrangements of the Colony. In Capt. Hall's letter to you, before referred to, he has gone fully into his reasons for objecting to "forego the subsidy at present paid to Cook's Strait Steamer for service south of Nelson," and has intimated his intention of referring the question at issue between you to his Directors : and we can only await their instructions upon the subject. AVhile reiterating, in accordance with our instructions, Capt. Hall's position—that the contract for the extra service before referred to, can only be terminated with the original contract ; nevertheless we beg to assure you that we shall at all times, on behalf of the Company, be most anxious and willing to meet your wishes in every respect, in carrying out the Postal arrangement to the satisfaction of the Government of New Zealand ; and in making any alterations therein 3 rou may suggest, which may not be prejudicial to the interest of the Company represented by us. AYe have Ac. rj- , (H. Lawson. S.gned.j B T HALr ; The Hon. the Postmaster General, New Zealand. No. 17. Intercolonial Eoyal Mail Company, Sydney and New Zealand. Sydney, June 15th, 1864. Sir,— AVith reference to the dates of Cook's Strait Steamer south of Nelson being overrun by those of West Coast steamer, we have the honor (pending receipt of letter from the Directors on this matter) to request, in pursuance of suggestion made to meet the case —that the Cook's Strait steamer should leave Sydney 15th of each month, instead of 25th, as hitherto : thus giving Nelson the English Mail about the 22nd, instead of 30th. as of late ; returning from Nelson the 3rd, and arriving at Sydney the 10th. We have, Ac. c . , C H. Lawson. Signed. | R T Hai ' The Hon. the Postmaster General, At-.,Ac, of New Zealand. . No. 18. The letter from the agent of the Company in Sydney dated 15th June, lSI.il-, was replied to by Mr. (lillies from Nelson on the 12th July, sanctioning the proposed arrangement, but no copy of the letter was forwarded to the Postmaster General's Office, Auckland. No. 19. Intercolonial Royal Mail Company, Sydney and new Zealand, Sydney, July 23rd, 1864. Sir,— I have the honor lo acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th, instant, agreeing to alteration of date of sailing of Strait's steamer from Sydney, from 25th to 15th of each month, with the arrangement that in the event ol the European Mail arriving late, the Auckland steamer should wait as hitherto to bring on the .Mails. In reply, 1 beg to inform you that arrangements have been made to have a steamer in readiness to carry out the alteration next month, and that in order to effect the change in the best manner, and facilitate course of correspondence between Straits Ports and Sydney, and also prevent disappointment which would occur without some such provision, 1 have given instructions for S. S. " Otago" leaving

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IX.—No. Ib

Sydney 25th, to go as far as Canterbury only, and thence return to Sydney, via Wellington and Nelson, reaching Sydney say two or three days prior to new date of sailing hence ; thus dovetailing new dates into old. I have Ac H.LAwaoy The Hon. the Postmaster General Ac, Ac, New Zealand. No. 20. Panama, New Zealand and Australian Roval Mail Company, Limited, July 26th, 1864. Sir,— The Directors having considered the correspondence in reference to the withdrawal of the subsidy of £1600 per annum for the extension of the service between Sydney and Cook's Straits, have desired me to express their surprise at the injustice of the course which you have adopted. The Company's General Manager, Capt. Vine Hall, was urged to undertake the extra service, which he did, as soon as he could complete his arrangements, but just as the line is in full operation, and the traffic being developed, the Government put an end to the said service without any previous intimation, and the Company are consequently subjected to the expenses inseparable from preliminary operations. The Directors conceive that it is as necessary now as it was 6 months ago, that direct communication should be maintained between Sydney and the Southern Provinces of New Zealand, and they believe it would have been easy to have arranged the Time Tables in such a manner as not to have two departures from the one port on the same day. The Directors consider tho Company has been very unfairly treated in this matter, and also contend that the undertaking contained in Mr. Crosbie Ward's letter of the 17th December, 1863, (copy of which is forwarded herewith,) that the present Intercolonial Services " shall continue on their present footing until the Ist January, 1865," is binding on the Government, and further, that in any caso the Company are entitled to receive six instead of three months notice of termination, in accordance with the resolutions of the Colonial Parliament passed in the session of 1862, —I have therefore to submit that somo re-arrangement of the Service may be made, by which the Cook's Straits line may be restored to its former utility, and the payment of the subsidy continued. I have Ac. Clav/o Hamilton, Chairman. The Hon. T. B. Gillies Esq., Postmaster General, New Zealand. Enclosure to No. 20. London, December 17th, 1863. My Lord. — Agreeably with the Board's request, 1 undertake and agree on the part of the General Government: of New Zealand, Ist, —chat the Time Table for the Panama Service shall always be arranged so that the vessels engaged in that service may continue their voyage from Wellington or other the port of arrival in New Zealand to Sydney, in performance of the Intercolonial Service to be performed under the agreement of the 28th May, 185S, and may return from Sydney to AVellington or other the port of departure in New Zealand in time to perform the service to Panama, thus making one continuous through line between Sydney, New Zealand, and Panama : 2nd —That the port of arrival in New Zealand for such Intercolonial Service to be performed under the agreement of 28th May, 1858, shall always be the port of departure for Panama, and that such port shall be the only port in New Zealand to which the Intercolonial service under the said agreement of 1858 shall extend. 3rd, —That when a fine shall be imposed under the original Contract of 1858, in connection with the Intercolonial Sen ice between Sydney and New Zealand, a fine is not to be imposed for any consequent delay or breach in the performance of the Panama Service, and vice versa, that is to say when a fine is imposed for a breach of the performance of the service between Panama and New Zealand, a fine is not to be imposed for any consequent breach of any service to be performed under the original contract of 185 S. 4th, —That tho Company shall be allowed 7 days for the performance of the service between New Zealand and Sydney, find for stoppages in New Zealand. sth, —That the existing Intercolonial and Interprovincial Services shall continue on their present footing until Ist January, 1865. It is also agreed between us that all the vessels now belonging to the Company are accepted for the performance of the present Mail Services, and the contemplated extra interprovincial service, subject to their being provided from time to time with certificates from the Steam Navigation Board in Sydney. I have Ao. Crosbie Waho. Right Hon, Lord Claud Hamiltou, M.P., Chairman of the I. C. R. M. Steam Packet Company, Limited.

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D.—No. I*.

No 21. General Post Office, Auckland, 28th September, 1864. Mr Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 20th July last, expressing the surprise of your Directors at what they are pleased to term the injustice of the course which I have adopted in reference to tho subsidy of (£1600,) one thousand six hundred pounds per annum, for the Interprovincial services performed by the Sydney and Cook's Straits steamer, and informing me that t/iei/ conceive it necessary that direct communication should be maintained between Sydney and the Southern Provinces of New Zealand. A reference to my letter to the Local Manager of your Company, dated sth April, 1804, will show that there was every desire on my part, to cause as little inconvenience as possible to the Company by the termination of that service, which, in my opinion; had become unnecessary : and it was only on receipt of Capt. Alne Hall's letter of 20th April that I felt compelled to terminate that service by formal notice. Mr. Crosbie Ward's letter of the 17th December, being part of the Panama scheme arrangement, I cannot recognise as having anything to do with this matter, nor can Resolutions of the House of Representatives confer any rights on parties who undertake contracts, without reference to such Resolutions as tho basis of their contracts. The satisfactory operation of the Interprovincial Services arranged by me in April last, has fully justified my opinion of the propriety of terminating the Nelson and Otago Service, and leaves no prospect of its resumption. I have Ac. Thomas B. Gillies, Postmaster General, The Right Hon. Lord Claud Hamilton, Chairman I, C. R. M. Co. London. No. 22. Notice to Messrs. McMeckhan A Blackwood, terminating Contract. Dunedin, TBth June, 1864. Gentlemen,— In terms of the Contract for the conveyance of mails per " Aldiuga" and " Alhambra," I hereby give you the stipulated six months' notice, that tho existing Contract will cease and determine on the 11th day of January, 1865. I have, Ac, Thomas B. Gillies, Messrs. McMeckhan A Blackwood, Postmaster-General, New Zealand. Melbourne. No. 23. Contract with Messrs. McMeckhan A Blackwood for Steam Mail Service between Otago and Auckland. Articles of Agreement made this ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, between James M'Meckan and John Hutchison Blackwood, of Melboure, in tho colony of A rictoria, merchants and ship-owners, and who are hereinafter styled " the contractors" of the one part, and Her Majesty's Postmaster-General of the Colony of New Zealand, on behalf of the said Colony, in pursuance of the provisions of "The New Zealand Post-office Act, 1858," of the other part, witness, that for the considerations hereinafter mentioned, the said contractors, for themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators, covenant, and each of them, for himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators, covenants with the said Postmaster-General and his successors in office, as follows: — 1. The steamships " Aldinga" and " Alhambra" shall, at the commencement of the contract service hereby provided for, and during the continuance of the same, be tight, stanch and strong, properly manned and equipped for sea, and shall bo employed, as hereinafter mentioned, in the mail service between Melbourne aforesaid and Port Chalmers in New Zealand. 2. One of the said steamships shall, within twenty-four hours after the arrival of the European mail at the port of Melbourne aforesaid, in each month, leave that port for Port Chalmers aforesaid, and shall, unless prevented by tempestuous weather, call at the Bluff Harbour to land and receive mails, and shall deliver the mails at Port Chalmers within one hundred and fifty-six hours from the hour of departure from Melbourne. Provided that neither of the said steamships shall be required to wait at Melbourne for the European mail more than twenty-six hours after its due date for arrival there, and

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D—No. Ib,

that one of the said steamships shall leave Melbourne for Port Chalmers at the expiration of that time, unless detained at Melbourne by the said Postmaster-General, or his agent, to wait the arrival of the English mail there for any time not exceeding a further period of ninety-six hours. 3. One of the said steamships shall leave Port Chalmers on the eighteenth day of each month (except the month of February), not earlier than two p.m. in the day ; and on the sixteenth day of the month of February, not earlier than two p.m. on that day. 4. All Post-office Mails from England for New Zealand shall be taken from the European mailship, in Hobson's Bay, at Melbourne, by and at the expense of the contractors. 5. All Post-office Mails from New Zealand for England shall be delivered on board the European mail-ship, in Hobson.s Bay, by and at the expense of the contractors. 6. The Post-office Mails for the northern ports of New Zealand shall be delivered by and at the expense of the contractors, on board a steamboat, to be provided by the said Postmaster-General, or his successors in office, and to be kept waiting at Port Chalmers for the arrival there of the steam-ship which may be employed in each month under this contract in conveying mails from Melbourne to New Zealand. 7. A chief cabin passage, free of cost, either for passage or victualling, in each of the steam-ships employed under this contract, shall be provided on all occasions when required by the Governor of New Zealand, for an agent or clerk of the New Zealand Post-office; and, also, a safe and proper place of deposit for the mails, and proper accommodation for enabling the mails to be sorted on board of the said steam-ships. 8. The sum of one hundred pounds shall be paid by the contractors to the said Postmaster-General or his successors in office, if on any occasion either of the said steam-ships shall not sail at the appointed time, and an additional sum of one hundred pounds shall be in like manner paid for every delay of twenty-four hours in sailing after the appointed time ; and the sum of two hundred pounds shall be in bike manner whenever either of the said steam-ships shall not call at the Bluff Harbour, unless prevented from doing so by tempestuous weather. 9. If the contractors shall fail in any mouth to deliver the homeward mails to the European mail contract steam-ship at Melbourne, before her departure from that port with her homeward mails, the contractors shall pay to the said Postmaster, or his successors in office, the sum of three hundred pounds in addition to any other penalties which they may become liable to under these presents. 10. In the event of either of the said steam-ships becoming disabled, the contractors shall immediately, at their own cost and charge, replace the same by another good aud efficient vessel of similar tonnage and power, obtained by hire or otherwise. 11. If there be no Post-office agent or clerk on board, the masters of the said steam-ship shall, without charge to the Government, take care of, and the contractors shall be responsible for, the receipt, safe custody, and delivery of the mails, according to the terms of this contract. 12. The contractors, and all officers of their vessels when employed in the performance of this contract, and all seamen and servants of the contractors, shall at all times punctually attend to the orders and directions of the said Postmaster-General and of any of tho officers or agents of the said Postoffice, as to the receiving, landing, and delivery of the mails. 13. All sums of money hereinbefore stipulated to be forfeited or paid by the contractors, shall bo considered as stipulated or ascertained damages, and may at the option of the said Postmaster-General, or his successors in office, be deducted and retained by him or them, out of any money payable to the contractors under this contract, or payment thereof may be entered as a debt due by the contractors to Her Majesty, with full costs of suit. 14. In case of habitual negligence or wilful default by the contractors in the performance of this contract, the said Postmaster-General, or his successors in office, may, by writing under his or their hand or hands, give to the contractors one month's notice of an intention to determine this contract, and at the expiration of the said month this contract shall end and determine accordingly ; but the contractors shall be and continue subject to any liability which they may have incurred previously to such determination, and as though this contract had not been determined. 15 Any notice, which the said Postmaster-General, or his successors, shall require to serve on the contractors, shall be deemed to be duly served when the same is delivered to the master of either of the said steam-ships, the " Aldinga" or " Alhambra," or of any ship which may be substituted for either of them. 16. For the faithful performance of all the covenants, stipulations, and agreements hereinbefore contained, the contractors bind themselves and himself respectively, in the sum of four thousand pounds sterling, to be paid to our Sovereign Lady the Queen, her heirs and successors, by way of stipulated or ascertained damages, in manner following, that is to say, the sum of two thousand pounds in case of wilful failure or default on tho part of the contractors in the due performance of this contract, or any part thereof, in respect of each or either of the said mail services hereby contracted for, that is to say, the service from New Zealand to Melbourne, and the service from Melbourne to New Zealand. 17. And in consideration of the due and faithful performance by the said contractors of all the services hereby contracted to be performed by them, the said Postmaster-General, on behalf of the colony of New Zealand, hereby covenants with the said contractors, their executors and administrators, to pay to them, or to their agent in New Zealand, for the said services, at the rate of seventeen thousand pounds per annum, by equal monthly instalments, or payments of one thousand four hundred and sixteen pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, at the Sub-Treasury, in Dunedin, on the first day of each month ; and, also, the further sum of two hundred pounds for each and every period of twentyfour hours duriug which either of the steamships employed under this contract shall have been detained at Meibourne by the said Postmaster-General, or his agent, under the provisions of the second clause hereof. 18. And, further, that during the service hereby contracted for, all mails from New Zealand for Victoria, and for Europe, shall be delivered by and at the expense of the said Postmaster-General, or his successors in office, at Port Chalmers, aforesaid, on board the steamship which may be employed or used by the contractors under this contract.

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D- No. 1 v

19. And, further, that all mails which by the terms of this contract are to be taken by the said contractors to the Bluff Harbour, or received by them there, shall by and at the expense of the said Postmaster-General, or his successors in office, be there taken from, or as the case may require delivered to the contractors' steam-ship which may call at Bluff Harbour to deliver or receive such> mails. 20. It is lastly agreed by and between the said parties hereunto, that the service hereby contracted for shall commence on the eleventh day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and shall be carried on ; and this contract shall continue in force until determined by notice, under the provisions of the fourteenth clause hereof, or until one of the said parties hereto shall have given to the other of them six months' notice of an intention to determine the same, and until the said six months Bhall have expired ; provided always that the said service and contract shall not be determined by such notice as last aforesaid, before the eleventh day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, except in the case of habitual negligence, or wilful default, as hereinbefore provided. In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day, month, and year first hereinbefore written. Signed, sealed, and delivered by the said James James McMechan, M'Meckhan and John Hutchison Black- }■ Tohw Hutchison Blackwood, wood, in the presence of J .Thomas B. Gillies. R. W. Nltt, Solicitor and Notary Public, Melbourne. Signed, sealed, and delivered by Thomas Bannatyne Gillies, Postmaster-General of the Colony of New Zealand in the presence of John Richmond, Clerk, Dunedin. No. 24. Notice to I.C.R.M. Company, terminating Contract. To the Inter-colonial Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, (Limited), Ac, Ac, Ac. In pursuance of the provisions of the Contract of 28th May, 1858, made between Zachariah Charles Pearson and James Coleman of the one part, and the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, (for and on behalf of Her Majesty) of the other part, for the Inter-colonial and Inter-provincial Mail Steam Services of New Zealand, and of the delegation of powers in pursuance thereof, I Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, do hereby give you notice that the said contract shall terminate at the expiration of the first seven years thereof, that is to say, on the Ist day of November, 1865. Given under my hand at the Government House, at Auckland, this 30th day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four. G. Gret. By His Excellency's Command, Thomas B. Gillies, Postmaster-General cf New Zeal;; ml. The Contract between the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and the Inter-colonial Royal Mail Company is printed in the Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives for 1860, D.—No. 1., fol. 29. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING ESTABLISHING A STEAM SERVICE BETWEEN VICTORIA AND AUCKLAND. No. 25. Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. 30th June 1864. SrH — I have the honor te enclose copy of Resolutions passed at a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday last, convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the subsidiying a steamer between Auckland and A'ictoria. I have, Ac, J. A. GILFILLAN. Chairman. The Hon. the Postmaster General, of New Zealand.

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NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.

D.—No. 1b

Enclosure to No. 25. Copy of Resolutions passed at a Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce 28th June 1864. That this Chamber recognises the importance of direct Mail Steam Communication between Victoria and the Province of Auckland. That with a view to carrying out the foregoing resolution: This Chamber recomends.— Ist, The substitution of the Port of Melbourne for the Port of Sydney, and the Port of Manukau for the Port of Atckland. 2nd, That the Mail steamer leave Melbourne on or about the 10th of each month, and return ia time to meet the homeward Mail which leaves Melbourne on the 20th of the same month. 3rd, That as the advantages will be mutual this Chamber recommends, that the amount of subsidy be paid in equal proportions, by the Government of Victoria and the Government of the Province of Auckland. 4th, —That a copy of the foregoing resolution be transmitted to the Hon. the Postmaster General of New Zealand, and to the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce Melbourne. No. 26. General Post Office, Auckland, 4th July 1804. Sin, — 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ult. covering a copy of Resolutions passed by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, at a meeting convened for the purpose of considering the desirabiliiy of subsidizing a steamer potween Auckland and Victoria. I atn directed by Mr. Whitaker in the absence of tho Postmister General, to request you to be good enough to inform him of tho purpose for which the Resolutions were forwarded to this Department, I have, Ac, G. Eliott Eliott, Secretary. The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. No. 27. Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, 20th August 1864. Sir,— 1 am requested to acknowledge the reoeipt of your letter of the 4th July last. I have, Ac, J. W. Harrop, Secretary G. Eliott Eliott Esq. Ac, Ac. No. 28. Victoria, Chief Secretary's Office, Melbourne, 26th September 1864. Sir — The subject of direct Steam Postal communication to and from this Port and Auckland and the Northern Provinces of New Zealand, has for some time past occupied the attention of the Government of this Colony, and tho necessity for securing tho rapid and regular transmission ofthe Mails between the places "named, was on a recent occasion forcibly urged by the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, through a deputation of gentlemen from that body who waited upon me with reference to this important matter, and who were informed that this Government would be disposed to consider favorably, and to lend their aid to any scheme for establishing regular and permanent Mail communication by steamers between Melbourne and the places in New Zealand before mentioned. The" object of this communication is therefore to invite the cooperation of the Government of New Zealand in an endeavour to establish a line of Mai! Steam Packets between the Northern Island and Victoria ; and to submit that this object would be best attained by an alteration in the arrangements ofthe Intercolonial (New Zealand) Eoyal Mail Steam A rcssels by which Melbourne would be made the Port of departure and arrival for the steamers employed in the conveyance of the monthly English Mails to and from the Northern Provinces of New Zealand. It may be fairly estimated that the time that would be saved by this change in connection with the inward and outward English Mails, would be at last equal to the duration of the voyage to and from Melbourne and Sydney.

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D.--No. 1b

It is consequently assumed, that if the details could be satisfactorily arranged, no doubt need be apprehended of your concurrence in this proposal, and as such details are of greater importance to New Zealand than to this Colony, it is suggested that your Government should open negotiations with the Imperial Authorities with the view of ascertaining if such a change could be effected. I have Ac. James McCullough. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. New Zealand. No. 29. Dunedin, 14th November, 1864. Sir, — I have the honor to ackowledge the receipt of your letter of 26th September to the Colonial Secretary, which has been forwarded to me for reply. The Government of New Zealand are fully alive to the advantages which would attend the having direct steam communication between Melbourne and Auckland, and have had under consideration the possibility of effecting that object by a elange in the Inter-colonial Company's route. In present circumstances however the Government would not feel justified in taking any active steps in the matter, as notice of the termination of the Inter-colonial Company's Contract has been given, and the whole question of Steam Postal Service will require to be dealt with in a comprehensive manner at the ensuing meeting of tho General Assembly. Your communication will be laid before the Assembly and any steps in the direction desired by you which may be taken will be intimated to you in due course. 1 have, Ac, Thomas B. Gillies, The Hon. the Chief Secretary, Postmaster-General. A'ictoria. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING ESTABLISHING A STEAM SERVICE BETWEEN VICTORIA AND SOUTHERN PORTS, VIA COOK'S STRAITS. No. 30. Superintendent's Office, Sir,— Nelson, June 22nd, 1864. You are doubtless aware that a line of Steamers of a large class has been established between Melbourne and the Southern Ports by way of Cook's Straits, which steamers leave Melbourne shortly after the arrival of the European mails. The recent improvements in the Inter-provincial service of tho Colony have had the unfortunate result of keeping back the Nelson mails a week longer than before the change —whilst if the Government were to avail themselves of the new line, the mails might be delivered three days earlier than they have been lately. The " Albion," one of tho steamers in question, arrived here on the'2oth having left the mail in Melbourne to reach this place by the circuitous route of Sydney and Auckland on the 30th. I have the honor to request that you will take such steps as may be possible to remove the present inconvenience which places Nelson in the worst position of any port of New Zealand. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, J. P. Robinson, Auckland. Superintendent. No. 31. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Auckland, 2nd July. 1864. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter of the 22nd ultimo, referring to the establishment of a line of steamers between Melbourne and the Southern Ports of New Zealand, by way of Cook's Straits, and requesting that steps may be taken to remedy the inconvenience from which Nelson suffers at present in the receipt of mails. I shall feel obliged if your Honor would inform the General Government upon what terms the steamers referred to are running between Melbourne and Cook's Straits, and whether they are subsidized by the Provincial Government, and therefore willing to carry the mails, and further if your Honor is aware on what terms they would perform such service.

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D.—No. 1b

Will your Honor be also good enough to state whether the unfortunate loss ofthe steamer "Scotia" will interfere with the continuation of this steam service. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Fredk. Whitaker, Nelson. In the absence of Mr. Fox.. No. 32. Superintendent's Office, S IE) — Nelson, Sept. 12th, 1864. In reference to a letter from your office, of the 2nd July last, asking me upon what terms the steamers running between Melbourne and Cook's Straits are doing that service and whether they are subsidized by the Provincial Government —I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter from the agents of the Company to which they belong, from which you will learn the position and prospects of the service. I would most respectfully urge again upon his Excellency's Government the fact that Nelson is at this moment the least favoured port in New Zealand as regards her mail service, and the English mail whilst arriving somewhat later and leaving a little earlier than formerly, has been during the last three or four months not so certain in its dates of arrival and departure as could be wished, and as people have now learned to expect. I trust therefore that his Excellency's Government may think right to give such encouragement to the valuable service in question as may not only prevent the mail service from retrograding, but secure the great advantage described in the enclosed letter to all the settlements on and near Cook's Straits. I have, Ac, J. P. Robinsok, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent. Enclosure to No. 32. Nelson, 6th September, 1864. Sib,— We have been requested by the Directors of the Otago Steam Ship Company, to address your Honor on the following subject: — You are no doubt aware that the above Company some time back commenced regular steam communication between Melbourne and Cook's Straits with their steamers the " Albion" and '• Scotia," and that the service was suddenly interrupted by the loss of the latter vessel. It is now proposed by the Company to run the fine steamer " Hero" in conjunction with the " Albion" once a month between Melbourne, Nelson, and Wellington, via Otago back to Melbourne, and once a month the reverse way, leaving Nelson on the 18th of each month for Melbourne direct, so as to arrive at the latter port in time to tranship mails on board the P. and O. Company's steamer on the 26th, and leaving Melbourne for Nelson direct on the 10th, or immediately on the arrival of the English mail, by this means the Province of Nelson would have the course of post reduced from five to four months. To give the above steam service a chance of success the Company find that it it necessary they should receive a subsidy, and the Provincial Government of AVellington have already agreed to pay the sum of £400 per month, and we have now to ask your Honor if your Government will grant a bonus equivalent to the great advantage which Nelson will receive from Nelson being the first port of call, ar d the last of departure of the above steamers, and of having her postal facilities so greatly improved. One of our firm will wait upon your Honor with this letter, and at the same time will have an opportunity of explaining the proposed steam service more in detail. As we are anxious to write to the Directors of the Company at Dunedin by the steamer leaving here on the 12th instant, we should feel obliged by an answer as early as convenient. We have, Ac, Nathaniel Edwards A Co. His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. No. 33. Colonial Secretary's Office, giu Auckland, 17th September, 1864. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter No. 33 of the 12th inst., on the subject of a proposed establishment of line of steamers between Melbourne aud Cook's Straits. Your Honor transmits a copy of a letter from the agents of the Otago Steam Ship Company, requesting to bo informed whether the Provincial Government of Nelson will subsidize the proposed service but the reply if any given by your Honor to that letter does not appear.

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PAPERS RELATING TO THE

D.—No. 18.

I must further observe that your Honor is in error when you state that Nelson is at this moment the least favored port in New Zealand as regards her mail service, and that the English mail arrives later and leaves earlier than formerly. Under the present arrangement the English mail leaves Nelson on the 12th of each month, whilst it leaves Napier on the 6th, Auckland on the Bth, and New Plymouth on the 9th. The English mail also, if it is true to time at Sydney, arrives at Nelson on the 21st, being earlier than in any port in New Zealand, except Invercargill and Dunedin ; should the English mail be somewhat late at Sydney it arrives via Auckland, at Nelson on the 30th. It would appear therefore that Nelson receives her legitimate share of the postal advantages in comparison with those of other ports in New Zealand. There is no doubt however that the proposed line if effectively carried out would give superior postal accommodation, but the General Government has not at its disposal funds available for the purpose of extending the present Colonial Steam Service. Moreover if the General Government determined to adopt an additional service of this kind, public tenders for it would have to be called, and arrangements would have to be made for terminating the present steam service between Sydney and Nelson. The Government could not undertake to grant fresh subsidies without the previous sanction of the General Assembly. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Willilm Fox. Nelson. CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING A STEAM SERVICE PROM SINGAPORE TO SYDNEY VIA TORRES STRAITS. No. 34. Queensland, Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Brisbane", 12th September, 1864. I do myself the honor to request that you will acquaint me whether the Government of New Zealand is disposed to co-operate in the establishment of a line of Mail Stsamers running from Singapore to Sydney, via Torres Straits. 2. This subject, which has long been under the serious consideration of the Government of Queensland has now been again brought prominently forward by the recent determination ofthe Colonies of Victoria and South Australia to cause if possible the discontinuance of all communication with Western Australia by the steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental Company. 3. The Government of New South AVales is prepared to give favorable consideration to a definite proposal for the establishment of a Monthly Service via Singapore, which would appear to offer considerable advantages to New Zealand even in the event of the Panama route being also brought into use. 4. I have the honor to request you will reply to this communication at your early convenience. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Robert G. AY. Herbert. New Zealand. No. 35. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Auckland, 30th Sept., 1864. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 175 dated the 12th instant, enquiring whether the Government of New Zealand is disposed to co-operate in the establishment of a line of Mail Steamers running from Singapore to Sydney, via Torres Straits. The ad'-antages to accrue to New Zealand from the establishment of this line are not very obvious to the Colonial Government, but your communication will be submitted to the General Assembly next session when the whole subject of Steam communication with Europe is sure to be fully discussed. I have, Ac, William Fox. The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Queensland. No. 36. Contract with I.C.R.M. Company for Inter-provincial Steam Service. Memorandum of Agreement, made this Thirty-first day of March, Eighteen hundred and sixty-four, between the Honourable the Postmaster-General of New Zealand on the one part and

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NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.

D.—No. 1b

the Inter-Colonial Royal Mail Company (Limited) of the other part: witnesseth, that in consideration ofthe mutual Covenants hereinafter contained, the said parties hereto for themselves and their respective executors, administrators, and successors, do hereby respectively covenant and agree, to and with the other of them, and their respective executors, administrators, and successors, ill manner following, that is to say : 1. The Contract at present subsisting between the said parties hereto, for a Steam Postal Service along the East Coast of New Zealand, from Auckland to Otaga via Napier, Wellington, and Lyttelton, as at present performed by the' Lord Ashley' Steamer, is hereby cancelled and terminated. 2. From and after the date hereof and for Twelve Calendar Months then next ensuing, the said Inter-Colonial Royal Mail Company shall, with the said ' Lord Ashley' or other steamer authorised by the said Postmaster-General, perform a service monthly between Auckland and Otago via the East Coast of New Zealand, according to the Time Table hereunto annexed, No. 1, subject to variation of dates, as herinafter mentioned. 3. From and after the date hereof, and for Twelve Calendar Months then next ensuing, the said Inter-Colonial Royal Mail Company shall with the ' Airedale,' or other steamer authorised by the said Postmaster-General, perform a service monthly between Manukau and the Bluff, according to the Time hereunto annexed, No. 2, subject to variation of dates, as hereinafter mentioned. 4. By the aforesaid Steam Postal Services the said Company shall receive and safely carry Her Majesty's mails, and provide all necessary accommodation therefor to the satisfaction of the said Post-master-General, and shall deliver the same over the ship's side at the respective ports of call free of any charge, other than the payments hereinafter mentioned. 5. By each of the aforesaid steamers, the said company shall, if required, provide a free cabin passage, fare, and accommodation for one person in charge of the mails, in accordance with written instructions from the said Postmaster-General. 6. The aforesaid steamers shall (weather permitting) proceed on their respective voyages from Auckland and Otago at noon, or as near thereto as the tide will permit, on the respective dates mentioned in the said time-tables hereunto annexed, or on such other dates as may be fixed, as hereinafter mentioned ; and shall not on their respective voyages between the said ports exceed the time allowed by the said tables. Provided always that it shall be lawful for the said Postmaster-General, or his authorised agent, at cither of the said ports, to detain without charge either of the said boats for the period of Twenty-four hours, and to detain them for such further time as he shall think proper, on payment of a bonus of Fifty Pounds (£SO) per day, not exceeding three days, the said Company paying a liquate penalty of Fifty Pounds for each day, or part of a day, they do not (weather permitting, and accidents excepted) proceed from the aforesaid ports at the times aforesaid. 7. In consideration ofthe punctual performance of the aforesaid services the aforesaid PostmasterGeneral shall, out of moneys voted by the Parliament of New Zealand, pay to the aforesaid Company the sum of Four hundred and seventy-four pounds ten shilllings (£474 10s.) per month in respect of the aforesaid East Coast Service, and the sum of Five hundred and fifty-two (£552) pounds per month in respect of the aforesaid West Coast Service, on the certificate of the Secretary ofthe General Post Office that the said services respectively have been duly performed. 8 The said Postmaster-General shall be at liberty on reasonable notice to alter the dates of sailing mentioned in the said Time Tables hereunto annexed, provided such alteration does not interfere with the correspondence between the dates of tbe said West Coast Service and the dates of arrival and departure ofthe said Company's intercolonial steamer at Nelson, and that such alteration does not, without consent o: the Company, shorten the times of remaining at tho several intermediate ports of Now Zealand respect ively. 9. Should a steam service between Panama and New Zealand, under contract between the said parties hereto, be brought into operation before the expiry of the twelve months herein mentioned, this contract shall, upon the commencement of such Panama service, cease and determine ; but otherwise shall continue in force until terminated by two months' notice by either of the said parties hereto. Provided that it shall not be terminated by such notice sooner than the aforesaid period of twelve months, such notice to be delivered at tho offices in Auckland ofthe respective parties hereto. In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands the day, month, and year, first above written. Thomas B. Gillies. John Vine Hall. Signed by Thomas Bannatyne Gillies, Postmaster-General of New Zealand for the time being, in the presence of G. Eliott Eliott, Secretary General Post Office. Signed by John Vine Hall, General Manager of the Intercolonial Royal Mail Company for and on behalf of the said Company, in presence of Henry Lawson, Sub-Manager, Chief Accountant I.R.M.C. No. 37. Contract with N.Z.S.N. Company for Inter-provincial Steam Services. Memorandum of Agreement made this thirty-first day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, between the Honorable the Postmaster-General of New Zealand, of the one part, and the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company (Limited) of the other part. Witnesseth that in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the said parties hereto for themselves and their respective ex-

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PAPERS RELATING TO THE

D.—No. Ib

ecutors, administrators and successors, do hereby respectively covenant and agree to and with the other of them and their respective executors, administrators, and successors, in manner following, that is to say — 1. All other contracts at preseut subsisting between the said parties hereto for the steam postal services are hereby cancelled and terminated, save and except the service between AVellington, Wanganui, Taranaki, Raglan, and Manukau, which will cease and determine on the 31st day of May, 1864. 2. From and after the date hereof, and for twelve calender months thence next ensuing, the said New Zealand Steam Navigation Company shall, with two of tho after-mentioned steamers, viz., ' Wellington,' ' Lady Bird,' ' Queen,' or other steamers authorised by the said Postmaster-General, perform two services monthly between Auckland and Otago via the East coast of New Zealand, leaving Auckland on the 13th and 23rd of each month, and leaving Otago on the 10th and 30th of each month, according to Time Tables, Nos. 1 and 2, hereunto annexed, subject to variation of dates as hereinafter mentioned. 3. From and after the date hereof, and for twelve calendar months thence next ensuing, the said New Zealand Steam Navigation Company shall, with one of the afore-mentioned steamers, or other steamer authorised by the Postmaster-General, perform a service monthly between Manukau and the Bluff, leaving Manukau on the 18th and the Blurt' on the 2nd of each month, according to Time Table No. 3, hereunto annexed, subject to variation of dates as hereinafter mentioned. 4. By the aforesaid steam postal services, the said Company shall receive and safely carry Her Majesty's mails, and provide all necessary accommodation therefor, to the satisfaction of the said Postmaster-General, and shall deliver the same over the ship's side at the respective ports of call free of charge, other than the payments hereinafter mentioned. 5. By each of the aforesaid steamers the said Company shall, if required, provide a free cabin passage, fare, and accommodation, for one person in charge of the mails, in accordance with written instructions from the said Postmaster-General. 6. The aforesaid steamers shall (weather permitting) proceed on their respective voyages from Auckland and Otago at noon, or as near thereto as the tide will permit on the respective dates mentioned in the said Time Tables hereunto annexed, or on such other dates as may be fixed as hereinafter mentioned, and shall not, in their respective voyages between the said ports, exceed tbe time allowed by tho said Tables. Provided always that it shall be lawful for the said Postmaster-General, or his authorised agent at either ofthe said ports, to detain without charge either ofthe said boats for the period of twenty-four hours, and to detain them for such further time as he shall think proper on payment of a bonus of fifty pounds (£SO) per day, not exceeding three days, the said Company paying a liquidate penalty of fifty pounds (£SO) for each day, or part of a day, they do not (weather permitting and accidents excepted) proceed from the aforesaid ports at tho times appointed. 7. In consideration of the punctual performance of the aforesaid services, the aforesaid Postmaster-General shall, out of moneys voted by the Parliament of New Zealand, pay to the aforesaid Company the sum of three hundred and seventy-two pounds ten shillings (£372 10s.) per month for each of the aforesaid services, or One thousand one hundred and seventeen pounds ten shillings (£lll7 10s.) per mouth for the three services, on the certificate of the Secretary of the General Post Office that the said services respectively have been duly performed. 8. The said Postmaster-General shall be at liberty, on reasonable notice, to alter the dates of sailing mentioned in the said Time Tables hereunto annexed, provided such alteration does not, without consent of the Company, shorten the times of remaining at the several intermediate ports of New Zealand respectively. 9. This contract shall continue in force until terminated by two month's notice by either of the said parties hereto, provided that it shall not be terminated by such notice sooner than the aforesaid period of twelve months—such notices to be delivered at the offices in Auckland of the respective parties hereto. In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands the day, month, anl year first above written. Thomas B. Gillies : R. J. Duncan. Signed by Thomas Bannatyne Gillies, Postmaster-General of New Zealand for the time being, in presence of G. Eliott Eliott, Sec G. P. O. Signed by Richard John Duncan, Manager ofthe New Zealand Steam Navigation Company (Limited), for and on behalf of the said Company, in presence of S. Cabroll, Secretary to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

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NEW ZEALAND MAIL SERVICE.