A.—2

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6. That it shall be lawful for the Courts of the United States, or any of them, to authorize any person to act as a Commissioner or Commissioners under the provisions of this Act, and the doings of such person or persons, as authorized in pursuance of any of the provisions aforesaid, shall be good and available to all intents and purposes whatsoever.

No. 17. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimbebley to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 5.) Sib, — Downing Street, 21st January, 1873. I have to acknowledge your Despatch No. 92, of 6th November, reporting that, with the advice of your Ministers, you had appointed two Maori chiefs to the Executive Council of New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBERLEY.

No. 18. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbeiiley to Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd January, 1873. With reference to my Circular Despatch of the 4th September last, transmitting proposals respecting the mail service between this country and Australia after the termination of the existing contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, I transmit to you, in order to obviate any misapprehension which may have arisen with respect to the extra postage levied in the Colonies on correspondence and newspapers sent by way of Brindisi, a copy of a letter which has been received through the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury from the General Post Office. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBEIILEY. of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 18. Mr. Tilley to the Secretary to the Treasury. Sir, — General Post Office, 13th January, 1873. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, enclosing copies of two letters from the Colonial Office, covering Despatches from the Governments of Victoria and South Australia on the subject of the proposals made to the Australian Colonies in the Earl of Kimberley's Despatch of the 4th September last, with reference to the arrangements to be adopted for the Mail Service between this country and Australia after the termination of the existing contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. In the Memorandum of Mr. Langton addressed to the Governor of Victoria, which expresses the views of his Government, it is stated that the proposal of the Imperial Government is to carry the mails between London and Galle free of all charge, whether for conveyance by special packets between Dover and Calais or Egyptian transit rate, and to contribute one moiety, not to exceed the sum of £40,000 per annum, towards the cost of the service between Galle and Australia. Mr. Monsell is under the impression that this Memorandum correctly describes the intention of the Treasury, so far as relates to the whole cost of conveying the mails by sea between London and Point de Galle, and to the sum paid for Egyptian transit. But, in using the term " free of all charge," he hopes that there is no misunderstanding in Melbourne with regard to the additional postage of 3d. per half-ounce which is levied on all letters, and of 2d. each on all papers sent via Brindisi. This additional postage represents the sum actually paid by this Department to the French and Italian Post Offices for the land carriage of that portion of the mails which is forwarded by the route of Brindisi. On the homeward letters and papers the additional postage is levied in the Colonies; and being so levied should, of course, be accounted for to this office in the Letter Bill accompanying each mail, as it has hitherto been accounted for.