E.—No. 2

26

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE

Mondat, 18th Maech, 1867. Present : Victoria ... The Hon. James McCulloch, Queensland ... The Hon. A. Macalister, ... The Hon. G. F. Verdon. -„ ... The Hon. St. George E. Gore. New South Wales The Hon. H. Parkes, Tasmania ... The Hon. T. D. Chapman. „ ... The Hon. J. Docker. New Zealand ... The Hon. J. Hall, South Australia... The Hon. J. P. Boucaut, „ ... Crosbie "Ward, Esq. ... The Hon. "W. Duffield. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed — Mr. Parkes moved the adoption of the Memorial addressed to Her Majesty and read on the 16th March. Seconded by Mr. Docker. The Memorial was then taken into consideration, and agreed to by the Conference, after being amended. [Vide pp. 29-81.] Mr. Parkes moved the adoption of the following resolutions : — (1.) " That the Memorial to Her Majesty be signed by all the members of this Conference, each member signifying the office he holds, and, if a member of the Executive Council, his position as such. (2.) " That a correct copy of the Memorial be prepared on parchment, and signed in the manner aforesaid, for each Government. (3.) " That the Eepresentatives of each Colony, on the conclusion of the sittings of this Conference, take the necessary steps, without delay, to obtain the approval of the Executive to the Memorial. (4.) " That the Governors of the Australian Colonies be advised to transmit the Memorial for presentation to Her Majesty by the mail leaving Australia in April, via Suez, and the Governor of New Zealand by the first mail afterwards ; and that their Excellencies be requested to explain to the Secretary of State the occasion of the assembling of this Conference, and the results of its deliberations. (5.) " That the Governments of the Colonies represented at this Conference adopt such measures as may be necessary-as early as may be convenient after the assembling of Parliament in each case, to give legislative sanction to the agreements of this Conference. (6.) " That, in order to secure uniform and harmonious action on the part of the respective Governments, it is expedient that they should communicate with each other, as fully as may be practicable." Mr. Yerdon seconded the motion, and the Resolutions were agreed to by the Conference. Mr. Docker moved the adoption of the following resolution : —■ " That the respective Governments undertake to do all that may be necessary in London to further the objects of this Conference." Mr. Parkes seconded the motion, and the resolution was agreed to by the Conference. Mr. Hall moved the adoption of the List of Branch Services. Mr. "Ward seconded the motion. Mr. Boucaut proposed, as an amendment, " That the arrangement for the Branch Services, in connection with the Service via King George's Sound, be made on the assumption that the mails by the Suez steamer be delivered at Port Adelaide." Mr. Duffield seconded the motion, which was negatived by the Conference. Other amendments having been consented to by Mr. Hall, the following List of Branch Services was agreed to by the Conference: — A LIST of Braxcii Mail Seevices required to connect the whole of the Australian Colonies with the three lines of Postal Communication between Great Britain and Australasia, via Suez and King George's Sound, via Suez and Singapore, and via Panama and New Zealand. I.—Foe the Sebvice via King Geoege's Sottkd. On the arrival of the Suez steamer at Melbourne, one branch steamer to leave for Launceston and another for New Zealand. On the arrival of the same Suez steamer at Sydney, a branch steamer to leave for Brisbane. Return branch steamers to leave Brisbane, New Zealand, and Launceston, in time to reach Sydney and Melbourne respectively before the departure of the steamer for Suez. The Adelaide Mails by this line will be delivered by the Suez steamer at Kangaroo Island, and conveyed to and from that Island and Port Adelaide by a branch service. II. —Foe tiie Seetice via Singapobe. On the arrival of the Singapore steamer at Sydney, one branch steamer to leave that port for a port in New Zealand, and another for Melbourne. On the arrival of the latter vessel at Melbourne, either the same or another steamer to proceed to Adelaide, and a branch steamer also to proceed to Launceston. Branch steamers to return to Melbourne and Sydney respectively in time to catch a return Mail to Singapore. lll.—Foe the Seeyice via Panama. On the arrival of the Panama steamer at "Wellington, a branch steamer to leave for Melbourne. On its arrival there, either the same or another vessel to proceed to Adelaide, and another branch steamer to proceed to Launceston. On arrival of the Panama steamer at Sydney, a branch steamer to proceed to Brisbane. The branch steamers to return to Sydney and "Wellington respectively in time for a return Mail to Panama. All the branch services to be performed at a speed of not less than nine and a half (SH) knots per "hour. The several branch steamers to take their departure, on the outward journey, within six hours after the arrival of the trunk-line steamer; and, if necessary, to wait her arrival for a period not exceeding three days beyond her due date.