D.—No. 1. A

I trust that the present propositions may be satisfactory to the Government, particularly as I have now submitted the extreme limits given me by the Directors. I have, &c, John Vine Hall, General Manager, P. N. Z. & A. R. M. Company. The Honourable the Postmaster General. No. 11. General Post Office, Wellington, 9th March, 1865. My Loud, — I have the honor to inform you that immediately preceding the departure of the last mail, certain preliminary articles of Agreement for a mail service, between Panama and Australia, were duly signed by myself and Captain Vine Hall, a copy of which i enclose for your information, having previously provided Captain Hall with a copy, in order that he might communicate the same to you. I am unable to write more fully on this subject by the out going mail, as the Government are awaiting the return of a gentleman who has been deputed to endeavour to make arrangements with the Australian Governments, for the establishment of a service which will embrace those Colonies in the proposed Contract It is a matter of gratification to the Government, that there is an immediate prospect of an arrangement being carried out which will be satisfactory to both the contracting parties. I have, &c, J. Richardson, Postmaster General. Right Hon. Lord Claude Hamilton, Chairman P. N.Z. and A. R. M. Company, London. Enclosure to No. 11. It is agreed between the Government of New Zealand, and Captain Vine Hall, as agent for the Panama, and New Zealand Royal Mail Steam Company, that a Contract shall be forthwith entered into for the performance of the Postal Service mentioned in the annexed correspondence, according to the terms specified in Captain Vine Hall's letter, of this date, to the Postmaster General. The Contract to contain all usual and proper clauses applicable to contracts of this nature. The correspondence referred to consists of proposal for agreement by Postmaster General to Captain Vine Hall, dated 9th February, 1865, letter from Captain Vine Hall to Postmaster General, dated 10th February, 1805. Signed by the Postmaster General, on behalf of the Government of New Zealand; and by Captain Vine Hall, on behalf of the Company, the 10th February, 1865. J. L. C. Richardson, Postmaster General. John Vine Hall, Acting for P. N. Z. and A. R. M. Company No. 12. General Post Office, Auckland, September 12th, 1864. Sir, — I have the honor, bv direction of the Postmaster General of New Zealand, to request you to be good enough to inform him what are the rates of fare for passengers, the cost of transit for

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