24

joth au* 1859

(Encioiurt-) 17th Aug., mi), skrticb. — = — =

(XucUiurt.)

Stiam Postal Sbrticb.

execution of a Second Monthly Mail Service between this Country and Australia, by way of Panama, I transmit herewith for your information, the copy of a further Letter from the Secretary to the Treasury, enclosing copy of one, which has been addressed by desire of the Lords Commissioners to Mr. Merewether, the Agent deputed by your Government to advance the project, from which you will perceive that the whole question of Mail Contracts has been referred to the consideration of a Committee of Parliament, and that it is consequently not in their Lordships' power, pending the Report of the Committee, to enter into any explanations, or to take any further action in the matter. I have, &c, (Signed) Newcastle. Governor Sir William Denison, X.C.8., &c, &c, &c, New South Wales. MR HAMILTON, TO MR. MERIVALE. Treasury Chambers, 20th August, 1859. Sir, — With reference to the proposed Postal Service to Australia, via Panama, I am commanded c Lordg Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, to transmit herewith to you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, copy of a Letter which their Lordships have addressed to Mr Merewether on the subject, dated 17th instant. I am, &c, (Signed) Geo. A. Hamilton. To H. Merivale, Esq., C.8., &c, &c, &c. MR. HAMILTON, TO MR. MEREWETHER. Treasury Chambers, 17th August 1859. Sir,— I have laid before the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, your communication of the 12th instant, and I am directed by their Lordships to transmit to you copies of the Tenders for the proposed Postal Service to Australia via Panama, in accordance with your request. I am, at the same time, to recall to your recollection the previous communication with you since the accession of the present Government, and the appointment of the Committee of the House of Commons on the general question of Postal Contracts, and to state that under present circumstances their Lordships must consider the subject of the Panama, as well as of every other projected Mail Service, to be under reference to the consideration of a Committee of Parliament, and that their Lordships are not therefore in a condition to enter into any explanations which might have the effect of apparently abridging the discretion of the Committee, which is wholly independent of that of the Treasury. lam to add that no arrangements have been yet completed with the Granadian Government, with respect to the Transit Dues across the Isthmus of Panama. I am, &c, (Signed) G. A. Hamh-ton. E. C. Merewether, Esq., &c, &c., &c. COPY OF A MEMORANDUM BT MR. STAFFORD. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland 24th January, 1860. Ministers have had under their consideration, various Despatches from Sir E. B. Lytton and the Duke of Newcastle, as also a Communication rf the 12th ultimo from Sir William Denison, relative to the question of the Steam Postal Service between Great Britain and the Australian Colonies, and especially referring to the establishment of a line of Steam Postal Communication via Panama. ■ It is with great regret that this Government has become aware that the measures initiated by the Lords of the Treasury in April last, for instituting the latter Service have not been proceeded with, nor are they aware of any circumstances which have occurred since Tenders for that Service were invited and received, which ought to have prevented the conclusion of a Contract on the conditions laid down in the Treasury Minute of 19th April, 1859. The advantages certain to result to the Australian Colonies from a Service by Panama, which would both afford the means of a fortnightly communication with Great Britain, and open up an intercourse with North and South America, are so obvious, and have been so readily admitted, alike by the Colonies and by the Imperial Government, as to render it unnecessary on the present occasion to adduce arguments in support of it, beyond what present themselves from the experience of the working