D-No. 4

New Zealand. (No 54.)

No. 8. copy of a DESPATCH from his grace the duke of Newcastle to governor SIR GEORGE GREY. Downing-street, 29th May, 1862. Sir, — I have tbe honor to acquaint you that the Postmaster-General has informed me that the InterColonial Royal Mail Steam Packet Company had requested a survey and trial before the proper Government Officers, of the ship Claud Hamilton, which they intended to send out to New Zealand to be employed in the Mail Packet Service. It was found on the trial which took place that the vessel made only nine instead of ten knots au hour, as stipulated for in the contract, and the Officer appointed to survey her also reported that several additions and alterations were required in the build aud equipments of her hull. As, however, the first trial was made under disadvantages, a second was proposed. Before, however, this took place the intention of the Directors to send out the vessel was abandoned in consequence of certain alterations in the route of their vessels reported to have been made by the authorities in New Zealand which rendered it unnecessary to despatch another ship. I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Sir G. Grey, X.C.8., &c., &c.

12

STEAM POSTAL SERVICE.