D.—No. l

1. I am further directed to transmit to you copies of the correspondence on the subject oi" the Postal Service between the Australian Colonies and the United Kingdom, which has at different times been printed for the local Parliament, and to state that the Colonial Secretary will be glad if by the co-operation of New South Wales with New Zealand, and the other neighbouring Colonies, additional means will be provided of intercourse with the Mother Country, and other parts of the world. 1 have, &C, W. (i. Elyard, Under Secretary. The Honorable Crosbie Ward, Postmaster General of New Zealand. No. G. Melbourne, 25th November, 1862. Sib,— I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 21st instant, informing me that the Colonial Secretary of New Sou+h Wales would instruct the Representative Agent of that Colony to co-operate with me cordially in the efforts which I am instructed to make on behalf of the Colony of New Zealand for the accomplishment of a Mail Service to and from Great Britain by way of Panama. In reply I have the honour to request that you will convey to the Colonial Secretary my thanks for the step which he is about to take, and to state that my best efforts will be given to assist Air. Hamilton in the undertaking. 1 have, Ac., C. Ward. The Under Secretary, Ac, New South Wales. No. 7. Melbourne, 19th November, 1862. Sib,— I have the honor to inform you that by a recent Act of the Government of New Zealand a sum of £30,000 per annum has been granted, for five years, towards the maintainance of a Monthly Steam Mail Service to and from Great Britain via Panama, and the Government of that Colony has determined to co-operate with the Government of New South Wales in the task of organising such a service. In furtherance of this object lam about to proceed to Great Britain fully authorised to take such measures as may seem desirable to be taken on the part of the Colony of New Zealand. Having reason to believe that the united exertions of the two Colonies named will be successful in establishing a Steam Postal Service via Panama, I do myself the honour to enquire whether the Government of the Colony of Victoria are prepared to join them in guaranteeing the necessaiy subsidy in the proportion of £50,000 by New South Wales and £30,000 by New Zealand ; and if not whether they will agree to apply to the Colonial contribution towards the expense of this Service, when fixed, the same rule of apportionment as at present obtains with respect to the route via Point de Galle and Suez. I need scarcely point out that by the adoption of this rule the Colony will not be called upon to contribute except for and in proportion to any advantage gained, and that unless the rule be adopted much difficulty leading to confusion will probabU attend the conveyance of any correspondence from or to the Colony of Victoria along the route in question. 1 have, &c, Crosbie Ward. The Honourable the Chief Secretary, Victoria. No. 8. ('hief Secretary's Office, Melbourne. 26th November, 1862. Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, informing me that the Government of New Zealand has determined to co-operate with the Government of New South Wales in the task of organizing a Steam Postal Service via Panama, and enquiring whether

9

ESTABLISHMENT OF A PANAMA MAIL SERVICE.