18

Queensland having consented to join in the above guarantee, the contributions of the several Colonies will be approximately as under:—

Hon. the President expressed the hope that Queensland might be induced to join in the guarantee. Hon. Joseph Cook and Hon. J A. Cockburn also urged Queensland to join. Hon. A. J Thynne promised to recommend his colleagues to join in the guarantee. The Report of the Committee was adopted. Delegate to next Universal Postal Union Congress. Hon. J A. Cockburn moved —That the question of electing a Delegate to the next Postal Union Congress be deferred until next Conference. Hon. A. J Thynnis seconded the Motion, which was carried. Improved Telegraph Facilities between South and Western Australia. Hon. J A. Cockburn moved—That the question as to improved Telegraph facilities between South Australia and Western Australia be left to be arranged between those Colonies. Hon. Sir John Forrest seconded the Motion, which was carried. Precedence of Press Cable Messages. Hon Joseph Cook moved—That the question of Precedence of Press Cable Messages be referred to the Departmental Heads, to report when convenient. Hon. J A Cookburn seconded the Motion, which was carried. Place of Meeting. Hon.P 0 Fysh moved—That the next Postal and Telegraphic Conference be held in the City of Melbourne. Hon. J A. Cockburn seconded. Carried. Report of Sub-Committee. The Conference proceeded to consider the Report of the Sub-Committee of Heads of Departments on questions of detail. The following paragraphs were submitted by the Hon. the President, and adopted — jNo. 1.—((?). Delay of Train at Adelaide for English Mails. The Sydney and Melbourne Chambers of Commerce invite attention to the serious delay and consequent inconvenience and annoyance caused by the departure of the mail train from Adelaide when mail steamers are actually signalled, and express a hope that strenuous efforts may be made to obviate this in. future. The Postmaster-General, Adelaide, has arranged to provide a special train to leave Adelaide when the mails arrive not more than half an hour late, to overtake the express train at Murray Bridge. When, through the occurrence of holidays, such as Easter, Christmas, &c, or from other causes, a delay of more than one day would otherwise result, there is a further arrangement which provides that when the steamers arrive too late for the 430 p.m. express train, or for the overtaking train, a special train is despatched up to 9 p.m on either Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, at a joint cost to New South Walew and Victoria of £71 155., South Australia running such train from Adelaide to Serviceton free of charge. The object of the Chambers of Commerce is that arrangements be made to delay the departure of the 4 - 30 p.m. express train from Adelaide, or run a special train regularly; but if anything further is desired, it can only be arranged at considerable cost for special trains, which the several Administrations have, after due consideration, already declined to incur

VICT. N.S.W N.Z. QU. S.A. TAS. W.A. TOTAL. Eastern Extension Company iouth Australia 1499 600 ( 1505 1 236 1734 1489 595 1494 235 1722 815 326 128 ( 943 I 2892 518 207 519 81 598 421 169 423 67 488 193 77 194 30 223 65 26 65 13 76 } 5000 2000 4200 790 few Zealand Cable 8676 5574 5535 5104 1923 1568 717 245 20,666