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No. 9. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Postmastee-Geneeal. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 15th October, 1880. Referring to your letters of 17th July, and 12th August, on the subject of correspondence despatched to New Zealand by the Brindisi route, and the charges made thereon, I now have the honor to transmit for your information copy of a correspondence which has taken place on this matter between myself and the Imperial Post Office. I hesitate to take further action in the matter. There is no doubt the interests of the San Erancisco service have been greatly subordinated to those of the Brindisi route. But I doubt if the postal authorities will agree to the increase you desire, and if they would so agree it is doubtful if, under present circumstances, the change would not be injurious to New Zealand's interests in this country, where a great deal is being uttered in disparagement of the colony At any rate you have not instructed me to take any action, and it is quite possible your request to raise the rate was merely made to emphasize your complaint of letters being unnecessarily sent by Brindisi. The Post Office promises to be careful concerning this point for the future, and so I think I had better refer the matter to you. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 9 Mr. Kennaway to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, London. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 16th September, 1880. I am directed by the Agent-General to inquire whether the postage of all letters for New Zealand forwarded vid Brindisi is now Bd. per single half-ounce letter, and that for newspapers and other printed matter the same as charged previous to the present year; and, if so, at what date such alteration was made, and whether public notice has been given of the same. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Waltee Kennaway, St. Martin's-le-Grand. Secretary to the Agent-General's Department.

Enclosure 2 in No. 9. Mr. Tobnob to the Agent-Geneeal. Sie,— General Post Office, 17th September, 1880. In reply to your letter of the 16th instant, I have to inform you that the postage charged in this country on letters sent to New Zealand by way of Brindisi is the same as that charged vid San Erancisco —viz., 6d. per half-ounce ; the postage upon newspapers, books, and patterns being also the same vid Brindisi as by the San Francisco route. I enclose a copy of the last notice to the public on the subject, dated the 26th of Eebruary last. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G , Agent-General for New Zealand. Algeenon Tuenoe.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 9. Mails for Australia vid Brindisi. — Further reduction of postage. On the Ist March next, the following reduced rates of postage on correspondence for the colony of Victoria or for any uther Australian colony or for New Zealand, forwarded vid Brindisi will be substituted for those which came into operation on the Ist instant: Letters, 6d. per half-ounce ; newspapers (not exceeding 4 oz.), Id. each ; book-packets and patterns or samples, Id. not exceeding 1 oz., 2d. not exceeding 2 oz. ; 4d. from 2 oz. to 4 oz.; and 4d. for every additional 4 oz.; being the same rates as those charged on correspondence forwarded vid San Erancisco. General Post Office, 26th Eebruary, 1880. By command of the Postmaster-General.

Enclosure 8 in No. 9. The Agent-Geneeal to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, London. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 21st September, 1880. Referring to your letter of the 17th instant, respecting the rates of postage of letters to NewZealand vid Brindisi, 1 have the honor to inform you that I have received from my Government copy of a letter dated 15th July last, addressed by the Postmaster-General of the colony to the Right Hon. the Postmaster-General in this country in which a request is made that directions be given that in future the postage on all letters for New Zealand shall be Bd. per single hall-ounce letter, and that for newspapers and other printed matter the same as formerly levied ; and, in reference thereto, 1 venture to ask what action the Right Hon. the Postmaster-General has taken in the matter. I have, &c, The Secretary, General Post Office, Julius Vogel, St. Martin's-le-Grand. Agent-General for New Zealand.