D.—No. 1. A

No. 18. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, New Zealand, Feb. 11, 186-5. Sir,— I have the honor to inform you that the Government of New Zealand has concluded an arrangement with the Panama and New Zealand Steam Company for the establishment of a postal service by way of Panama with Great Britain. Dr. Featherston, the Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, has been appointed, on behalf of the Government of this Colony, to proceed to Australia "with a view to negotiate with the respective Governments cf the Australian Colonies, in order, should such be their desire, to admit them to a participation in the benefit of the service, in consideration of their contributing towards the subsidy agreed upon. I shall be obliged by your communicating upon this subject with Dr. Featherston as the duly authorised agent of the New Zealand Government. I have, &c, Fred. A. Weld, Colonial Secretary. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, Queensland. A similar letter was addressed to the Colonial Secretaries of Victoria, New South Wales. Soutfi Australia and Tasmania. TsO. 19. Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, Queensland, 18th April, 1865. Sin,— I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 11th February last intimating that the Government of New Zealand has entered into an arrangement for the establishment of a postal service with Great Britain, by way of Panama, and stating that Dr. Featherston has been deputed as the duly authorised agent of your Government, to invite the cooperation of this Colony, in conjunction with the other Australian Colonies, in contributing to the subsidy payable on account of stich service. The subject has been already brought under the notice of His Excellency the Governor in Council, in a memorandum submitted by Dr. Featherston, and it is presumed your Government has been made aware of the views of the Government of Queensland thereon which have been fully communicated to Dr. Featherston. I have, &c, Robekt G. W. Herbert. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. No. 20. Wellington, May 12,1865. Sik,— Dr. Featherston, having returned from his mission to Australia, has reported to me the successful issue of his negociations with your Government in respect to the Panama Contract, I avail myself of this opportunity of expressing the sincere gratification which the co-operation of New South Wales has afforded to the Government of New Zealand, and I beg to assure you that no effort will be wanting to ensure that cordiality and unity of action by which the interests of both Colonies and the success of this great undertaking may be most effectually promoted. I have, &c, Fred. A. Weld. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales.

9

ESTABLISHMENT OF A PANAMA SERVICE.