D—No. 7,

Table (B.) Comparative Statement, shoAving the Correspondence both ways between Great Britain and each of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, in the years 1857, 1860, and 1862, Avith the Centesimal Proportion of each Colony, and the Contribution of each for one year, on the basis of the Correspondence of 1860, compiled from Post Office Statements.

Table (C.) Comparative Statement, showing the White Population of each of the Australian Colonies and NeAV Zealand at the date of the latest Census taken in each, the estimated Population of each on the Ist July, 1862, and the Number and Proportion to Population of Letters passing between each and the United Kingdom, during the year 1862, compiled from the Statistical Tables of the United Kingdom, and Post Office Returns.

Enclosure 2, in No. 17. MB. E. HAMILTON TO THE BIGHT HONORABLE THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUEB. 32, Upper Brook-street, W., 20th March, 1863. Sir, — Having been instructed by the Government of New South Wales to bring again under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government the question of establishing a monthly Steam Postal Service, between Panama and Sydney vid New Zealand, and for that purpose to act in concert with Mr. Crosbie Ward, the agent of New Zealand, I have the honor to inform you that in the year 1858 the Parliament of NeAv South Wales appropriated towards this object a sum of £50,000 a year for 10 years, of which nearly six arc unexpired, making, together with the sum of £30,000 a year, which has boon appropriated by the Parliament of NeAV Zealand towards the same object, a total colonial subsidy of £80,000 a year; and having been informed by Mr. Crosbie

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE

1857. 1860. Contribution for One Year, on basis of Correspondence in 1860. 186: ii COLONY. Number of Per Cent. Letters. Number of Per Cent. Letters. Number of Letters. Per Cent. £. s. D. 1,270,400 459,900 209,400 420,200 103,200 79,700 32,900 49-3 17-9 8-2 10-3 4-0 3-0 1-3 Victoria I S Tew SoHth Wales South Australia SewZealand I'asmania Jueensland Western Australia 798,000 ; 58-3 311,400 22-8 99,400 7-3 77,900 ' 5-7 68,900 . 50 1,257,400 54-6 438,600 19-1 178,300 ! 77 266,700 i 11-6 93,400 4-1 *39,100 1-7 28,500 1-2 2.302.000 ' 100-0 33,609 1 7 16,166 ... 7 3,270 4 11 9,830 3 5 2,946 16 3 1,440 18 7 522 14 3 Total I "12,400 : -9 1,368,000 1000 100-0 67.336 ... 2.575,700 100-0 * For nine months only from 1st April, 1860.

COLONY. Date of last White Population by Census. Estimated Population 1st July, 1862. Correspondence to and from Great Britain in 1862. Per-centage of Letters to Population. Census. New South Wales Victoria New Zealand South Australia Tasmania Queensland Western Australia April 1861 June Dec. April 348,546 540,322 98,394 126,830 89,977 30,115 15,593 360,000 545,000 105,000 130,000 90,000 40,000 16,000 459,900 1,270,400 420,200 209,400 103,200 79,700 32,900 1-17 2-33 4-00 1-61 114 1-99 2-06