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No. 26. The Agent-General to the Hon. Postmaster-General. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 14th August, 1878. Since I had the honor to address you by the Suez mail on the subject of the proposed change in the distribution of the postages collected here on account of mails for the Australasian Colonies, I have received a letter from the Under Secretary of State (copy of which I attach) acknowledging my previous communication, and also a telegram from the Hon. the Premier. * I have also seen Mr. Forster, the Agent-General for New South Wales, two or threo times, and that gentleman has informed me that he has received instructions from his Government, by telegraph, to co-operate'with me in representations to the Secretary of State. Previously Mr. Forster was instructed to wait until after the despatches from the Colonial Office had reached Sydney, and in my former letter I expressed the regret I felt at Mr. .Forster not acting with tho other Agents-General. I showed Mr. Forster what 1 had written, and he complained of my having done so, said ho was away from town, and not aware that we had adjourned our meetings to await his attendance. The fact, however, remains, that he received invitations to our meetings, and that he preferred communicating separately with his Government. Whilst we were waiting for him he was taking this separate action. On the other hand, he was a considerable distance from town, and might have found it inconvenient to attend. Since the receipt of the last instructions, Mr. Forster has written to the Secretary of State a letter which he has read to me, and of which he promises a copy. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 26. Mr. Beamston to the Agent-General. Sic, — Downing Street, 9th August, 1878. I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of the representation which you have made to this department, dated the 24th of July, in regard to the change which the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury consider should be made after the close of the present year in tho amount of postage which should accrue to the Imperial and Colonial Post Offices respectively on the correspondence passing between the Australasian Colonies and this country. Sir Michael Hicks Beach desires me to inform you that he has read your letter with attention, and has caused a copy of it to be transmitted for the consideration of tho Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. I have, &c , The Agent-General for Newr Zealand. John Beamston.

No. 27. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Postmastee-General. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 15th August, 1878. In continuation of my letter of the 14th instant,, I have the honor to inclose you copy of a telegram received by the Agent-General for Victoria this morning from his Government. After consultation with him and the other Agents-General, it was agreed that the subjoined telegram should be sent in reply. 1 have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 27. The Hon. the Chief Secretary, Victoria, to the Agent-G enseal for Victoria. (Telegram.) (Received 15th August, 1878.) Representatives Australian Governments now meeting wish prompt communication result of protest Agents-General against proposed increase proportion postage retainable by English Government. The Agent-General for Victoria, London. G. Beery.

Enclosure 2 in No. 27. The Agent-General for Victoria to the Hon. the Chief Secretary, Victoria. (Telegram.) London, 15th August, 1878. Agents-General (excepting Forster, instructed by his Government to wait) made representations Secretary State, who promised consider them, but indicated would wait hear from colonies. Forster since instructed act, and written Secretary State adopting action taken. The Chief Secretary, Victoria. Aechibald Michie. * See No. 13 of present series.