THE PANAMA MAIL SERVICE.

17

E.—No. 1.

■on account of the subsidy due by the Government of New South Wales towards the Panama Steam Postal Service. Tou will have learnt from my letter No. 412, of the 17th December, that subsequently to the despatch of my letter No. 382, of the 3rd of that month, a further payment had been made by the New Zealand Government to the Panama New Zealand and Australian lloyal Mail Company, making the total sum due by the Government of New South "Wales to this Government to the 17th December last, on account of the Panama Postal Service, £16,041 13s. 4d. There is thus still a balance of £2291 13s. 4d. due from New South Wales to this Colony, which amount it is requested may be remitted. My letter above quoted, No. 412, of the 17th ultimo, will also have informed you that in order to enable your Government to make, as it desires, future monthly payments of its share of the subsidy accruing to the Panama New Zealand and Australian Eoyal Mail Company through the Company's bankers at Sydney, I have furnished the Company with an authority for the Bank to grant a discharge on behalf of the New Zealand Government for payments so made henceforward. The Government of New South Wales will, as you request, be kept regularly informed of the monthly subsidy payable to the Company in future. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Sydney. E. W. Stafford.

No. 36. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. W. Fitzhekbeet to the Hon. H. Pabkes. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, "Wellington, 18th January, 1867. Adverting to the letter to you, No. 6, of the 3rd instant, it appears to this Government that the most convenient mode of keeping the New South Wales Government informed of the monthly subsidies payable in future to the Panama New Zealand and Australian Eoyal Mail Company on account of the mail service between Sydney, New Zealand, and Panama, will be for the Hon. the Postmaster-General to furnish the Company with a certificate in the annexed form, which the Agents of the Company can present to the Government of New South Wales. I have, &c., Wm. Fitziieebebt, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. (for the Colonial Secretary.)

General Post Office, Wellington, 186 I hereby certify that one-twelfth portion of the Annual Subsidy accruing to the Panama New Zealand and Australian Eoyal Mail Company, on account of the Mail Service between Sydney, New Zealand, and Panama, became due and payable to the Company on the of Postmaster-General of New Zealand.

No. 37. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. H. Parkes to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, New South Wales, 30th January, 1867. With reference to your letter of the 3rd instant, I do myself the honor to transmit a Bill of Exchange for the sum of two thousand two hundred and sixty-six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence, being the balance due to the Government of New Zealand, by this Colony, on account of Steam Postal Communication with Great Britain via Panama, up to the 23rd November last. In the communication above referred to, the amount is stated to be £2,291 13s. 4d., but it will be observed in reference to the Schedule enclosed in your letter of 17th ultimo, that a sum of £50, deducted as penalty for non-arrival of mail at the proper time, has not been taken into consideration, and which makes up the difference between the amount claimed, and that now forwarded. An Account Current up to the 23rd December last, w Till materially assist this Government in the adjustment of the accounts for this service, and I beg to invite your consideration on the subject. I will thank you to acknowledge the receipt of the bill now enclosed. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, New Zealand. Henry Parkes.

No. 38. Copy of a Letter from Mr. G-isBOByE to the Hon. H. Pakkes. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, sth February, 18G7. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 69-501, of 30th ultimo, forwarding a Bank draft for the sum of £2,26G 13s. 4d., in account of the Panama Steam Postal Service. I have, &c, Wm. GrISBOENE, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. (for the Colonial Secretary.)

No. 39. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Johjt Hail to the Hon. J. Dockee. Sib,— General Post Office, Wellington, 7th December, 1866. I have the honor to forward for your information a copy of a letter I have received from the p x Secretary of the General Post Office, London, on the subject of the rates of postage to be charged on in 5

rintcd as No. 8 this series.