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dyes or not). However, from the Ist January, 1899, the transmission of the whole of the above-mentioned articles by sample post will he obligatory between union countries under the Washington Congress. The London Office has now written to say that the Postmaster-General is willing to allow samples of glass, liquids, greases, and colouring powders (but apparently not live bees) to pass in the mails exchanged between the Australian Colonies and the United Kingdom after the Ist March, 1898, the date from which they will be allowed to pass in the inland postal service of the United Kingdom, and that Office desires to be informed whether the Colonies will agree to such exchange. The transmission of the articles mentioned wall be governed by the provisions of the Postal Union Regulations, and the limits of size and weight will be those already applicable to samples exchanged between the Australian Colonies and the United Kingdom—viz., 2 feet in length by 1 foot in width and depth, and 1 lb. in weight. As the transmission of the articles referred to by sample post will be compulsory from the Ist January, 1899, there would not seem to be any objection to the exchange with the United Kingdom taking place from the Ist July next. No. 12. —" The Postage to be charged on obliterated stamps and spent letters." Recommended, That obliterated stamps and spent letters be sent at Commercial Paper Rates within the Colonies, subject to usual packet Regulations, but this cannot be done internationally, as the Rules of the Universal Postal Union Convention require letter rate to be paid. No. 13. —""Bankers' Parcels : need for strictly enforcing Regulations relating thereto." We advise that intercolonially the following existing Regulation be in future strictly adhered to : — Bankers' packets {i.e., packets sent from one bank to another), containing bank-notes, cheques, cheque-books, drafts or orders, provided they are enclosed in covers with the ends sufficiently open to admit of postal officials seeing that they contain nothing in the nature of a letter. Though not compulsory, it is strongly recommended that bank-notes should be registered. They must be registered if addressed to another Australian Colony, and cannot be forw r arded at packet rates to the United Kingdom, West Australia, New Zealand, or any other country. Bank passbooks may be sent from or to any bank at packet rates, provided they are enclosed in covers with the ends sufficiently open to admit of postal officials seeing that " passbooks" only are being transmitted. Every such packet must be endorsed " Passbook only." No. 14. —" The Intercolonial Packet Post to be limited to articles of no commercial or saleable value." We consider that the present Regulations which admit of small packets of merchandise not exceeding 1 pound in weight being exchanged with all Colonies except Queensland, at packet rate of Id. per 2 ounces should be adhered to, and, if possible, be extended to Queensland ; that Colony however objects to merchandise being sent by packet post. No. 15. —" Practice of taxing 'officially' or-'compulsorily ' registered International correspondence supposed to contain money or other valuable enclosure." The Postal Laws of the Colonies provide for compulsory registration of letters containing valuable enclosures. Under the Universal Postal Union, however, it is not permissible to send coin, bullion, &c, and the principle of compulsory or official registration is not recognised under the Convention. The practice of compulsorily registering letters to Great Britain containing coin or bank notes has, however, been in operation for some time past in most of the Colonies, and, until recently, accepted by the London Post Office. We consider that, in the case of letters containing valuable enclosures posted in the ordinary way, it is more desirable in every respect to send them on charged with registration fee than to send them forward unregistered. We advise that the London Office be communicated wdth, and invited to accept such correspondence in future as they have done in the past, and collect the registration fee on delivery. No. 16. —"Proposed Amendment of Article 12 of the Australasian Postal Convention so far as it relates to Travellers' Cards or Circulars." Under Article 12 of the Australasian Postal Convention appears the following paragraph :■ — "Cards, Travellers' Cards, or Circulars may be sent at Packet rates, and, if necessary, may include a catalogue or list of prices. They may also bear the date and name of the traveller." We recommend that the following w r ords be added—"the date of sending and the date of intended visit of the traveller, also the time of departure of train or steamer, and name of latter by which the goods are forwarded."