E.—No. L

transmitting copy of a letter from the Postmaster-General on the subject of the New Zealand and Australian Mails via Panama, and inquiring whether I am prepared, on behalf of the Government of New Zealand, to accede to the propositions made by the Postmaster-General with regard to the rates of postage to be levied on newspapers, book packets, and packets of patterns, to be forwarded by this route. In reply I bog to state, that although I am still without instructions from the Government, I have no hesitation in acceding, on their behalf, to the suggestions of the Postmaster-General, pending such arrangements as the Government of New Zealand may hereafter desire to have carried out. In my letter of the 9th instant I did not refer to the rates of postage to be charged from the States of America and other countries, but I apprehend that provisions will be made by the PostmasterGeneral to meet this question iv such manner as he may deem expedient for protecting the interest of the Government of New Zealand. I have, Ac, Sir F. Rogers, Bart., Colonial Office. Joltn Moeeison. Enclosure 6 in No. 33. Sir F. Rogees to Mr. Moeeison. Sic,— Downing Street, 22nd May, 1866. AVith reference to y-our letter of the 18th instant, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Cardwell to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Secretary to the General Post Office on the subject of the rates of postage to be charged on correspondence for New Zealand and the Australian Colonies via Panama. I have, Ac, John Morrison, Esq. Feedeeic Rogees. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 6 in No. 33. Mr. J. Hill to Sir F. Rogees. Sib,— General Post Office, London, 21st May, 1866. I have laid before the Postmaster-General your further letter of the 18th instant, enclosing the copy of another letter from Mr. Morrison, the agent for New Zealand, on the subject of the rate of postage to be charged on correspondence for New Zealand and the Australian Colonies forwarded via Panama. The solicitor of this department has advised that a Treasury warrant will be necessary to authorize the collection of the proposed rates in tho United Kingdom, and he has been instructed to prepare the draft of such a warrant forthwith. Provisions will be made in this warrant for levying the following rates in Panama on correspondence posted at the British Packet Agency, or reaching that agency from any place other than the United Kingdom and intended to be forwarded by the new line of packets, viz.:— Six-pence per half-ounce for letters. Two-pence for each newspaper not exceeding four ounces in weight. Three-pence for each book packet or packet of patterns not exceeding four ounces in weight. I have, Ac, Sir F. Rogers, Bart. J. Hill. No. 34. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Gisboene to Mr. Moebison. (248) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 24th July, 1866. I have the the honor, by the direction of Mr. Stafford, to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter No. 218 of the 24th May last, and, in reply, to convey to you his approval of the steps taken by you with reference to the transmission of mails from Great Britain to New Zealand by the June mail via Panama. A letter was addressed by this Government last mail, to the Right Honourable the PostmasterGeneral in London on this subject, and a further communication has been made respecting it to tho Imperial authorities by this mail, and the postage rates have been requested to be fixed at the same amounts as are now levied on mails via Suez. I have, Ac, John Morrison, Esq., AY. Gisboene, 3, Adelaide Place, King William Street, London, E. C Under Secretary. No. 35. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. E. AY. Staffobd to the Hon. the Chief Secbetaet, Victoria. (No. 255.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 13th August, 1866. I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter which I have this day addressed to the Government of New South Wales, on the subject of the present Panama Steam Postal Service, nowundertaken on the joint responsibility of that Colony and New- Zealand. I trust that the views expressed in that letter will meet with your favorable consideration, and that the proposed conference of delegates from the Colonies interested in this matter may be held, and attended by a representative of A^ictoria. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Chief Secretary, A rictoria. E. W. Staffobd. Letter of similar tenor and date to the Government of Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia. 6

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THE PANAMA MAIL SERVICE.