43

A.—2

Enclosure in No. 52. The Colonial Office to Mr. Graham Berry and the Agents-General for the Australasian Colonies. Sir,— Downing Street, 29th April, 1879. With reference to previous correspondence respecting the Australian postal question, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform you that he has received a letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, intimating that on being informed by (Mr. Berry) [you] that (he) |_you] had reason to believe that a fresh contract might be made with the Peninsular and Oriental Company for a fortnightly service both to Melbourne and Sydney, touching at King George's Sound and South /Australia, on terms which would be advantageous as compared with the existing rate, they are prepared, under such circumstances, so far to modify their previous decision on the subject as to agree that the Australian mails shall, as at present, be conveyed free of charge to the colonies between this country and Point de Galle or Colombo [in the event of the latter port being made the port of call for Ceylon], on the condition that the Imperial Post Office shall, after the Ist of February next, when the present arrangement will expire, receive 2d. in lieu of ld. as at present on the outward correspondence, which may be considered as equivalent to the inland rate on both the homeward and the outward correspondence. This arrangement would, of course, apply equally to the correspondence conveyed under other contracts via Singapore and San Francisco. I have, &c, The Hon. Graham Berry and the Agents-General E. G. W. Herbert. for the Australasian Colonies.

No. 53. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. (No. 26.) Sir,— Downing Street, 20th May, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 1, of the 27th of March, informing me that you had arrived at Wellington on the previous day, and had been duly sworn in as Administrator of the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 54 Copt of OEEICIAL NOTIFICATION from the Chancellor of the Order of St. Michael and St. George to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. Chancery of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, Sir,— Downing Street, 23rd May, 1879. I am commanded to inform you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to give directions for the appointment of Mr. W. Eos to be a Knight Commander, and Mr. E. llichardson to be a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. I have, &c, c. COX, Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c, Chancellor.

No. 55. Copy of OEEICIAL NOTIFICATION from the Chancellor of the Order of St. Michael and St. George to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. Chancery of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, Sir,— Downing Street, 23rd May, 1879. I am commanded to inform you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to give directions for the appointment of Mr. E. "W. Stafford to be a Knight Commander, and of Mr. W. J. M. Larnach to be a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. I have, &c, c. COX, Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c. Chancellor.