A.—2.

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With regard to the proposal contained therein, so far as it affects the correspondence with the colonies concerned—viz., that the mails shall in future be carried vid Brindisi alone—l am to request that you will move the Lords Commissioners of tho Treasury to cause Sir Michael Hicks Beach to be informed what are the proposed rates for books and. papers; and, secondly, whether, as the raising of the minimum postal charge would appear to bear hardly on the poorer classes, it might not be arranged that letters, &c, should still be conveyed as far as Suez by the numerous steamers trading between this country and the East, as " ship-letters," at the present, or even a lower rate. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Treasury. R. G. W. Herbert.

Enclosure 3 in No. 65. The Treasury to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Treasury Chambers, 14th August, 1879. I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit to you herewith for the information of Secretary Sir Michael Hicks Beach, with reference to your letter of the 30th ultimo respecting the Eastern and Australian Mail Service, copy of a letter which my Lords have received from the Postmaster-General, dated the Bth instant. I have, &c, R. G. W. Herbert, Esq., Colonial Office. William Law.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 3 in No. 65. The Post Office to the Treasury. My Lords, — General Post Office, Bth August, 1879. In returning the enclosed reference from the Treasury, No. 13,241, of the Ist ultimo, I have the honor to state, in reply to the first question raised by Her Majesty^s Secretary of State for the Colonies, that, in the event of the Eastern and Australian mails being forwarded vid Brindisi alone, as recommended in my report to your Lordships dated the 17th ultimo, I should propose to fix the postage rates upon newspapers, books, &c, as follows : — Newspapers, at l£d. per4oz., in lieu of the present rates of ld. vid Southampton and 2d. via Brindisi. Book-packets, patterns, &c, at l^d. per 2 oz., in lieu of the present rates of ld. per ounce vid Southampton and 2d. per ounce vid Brindisi. As regards the question of sending extra mails as far as Suez by the steamers trading between this country and the East, as ship-letters, I beg leave to inform you that, in accordance with the general practice of this office, any letters or newspapers which the senders might specially address for transmission by private ship would be forwarded as desired. Such letters, &c, would be liable only to the present rates of postage chargeable by the Southampton route. I have, &c. The Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury. John Manners.

No. 66. Copy of a DESEATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beich to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. (No. 15.) Sir, — Downing Street, sth September, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 17th of July, No. 10, informing me that a new Bill has been prepared to be submitted to the Legislature of New Zealand in place of the reserved Bill, No. 49 of 1878, entitled " An Act to amend the Law relating to the Administration of the Estates of Deceased Persons," embodying certain suggestions contained in my Despatch No. 8, of the 28th of Eebruary last. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 67. Copy of a DESEATCH from the Eight Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach to Governor Sir Hercules Eobinson. (New Zealand honors.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th September, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 38, of the 15th of July last, enclosing letters from Sir George Grey respecting the grant