THE PANAMA MAIL SERVICE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2903, 14 November 1866, Page 6

THE PANAMA MAIL SERVICE.

In the Legislative Assembly, New South Wales, on the 24th ultimo, in auswer to Mr. Macleay, ib was state Jby Mr. Parkes that, by the mail which left he re last May, notice was given to the P. and 0. Company of the intention of Government to retire from the existing contract for the conveyance of mails. Since then no further steps have been taken iv the, matter. The Government of South Australia have also given notice of their intention to retire from the contract. A few days ago the Government received a communication from the Government of Viotoria, relative to re-opening the question. They stared, i( this Government gave assistauoe to the Suez route, ' they would be prepared to consider the question of the route via Panama. There was every reason to hope an arrangement might ere long be made between the Governments interested. On the 31st ult. Mr. Forater asked the Colonial Secretary — 1. Is the contract with the Government of New Zealand, for establishing steam postal communication between this colony and Great Britain by the way of Panama completed, or do the Government intend completing such contract ? 2. When ia it likely such contract will be completed? 3. Will the carriage of letters or newspapers by the said, route, across the Isthmus or thence to Great Britain, be charged by weight ? 4. What will be the probable difference, if any, between the total j amount of postage chargeable upon letters or newspapers posted in this colony, and the total cost of carriage of inch letters and newspapers, by the said route ? 5. What will be the total cost of conveyance of such letters and newspapers by the said route, including the cost of the subsidy? 6. What arrangements have the Government made, ov do they intend making, to meet any extra charge upon letters or newspapers for carriage acrosi the Ishmus, or thence to Great Britain ? 7. Are the Government likely to be induced, by the apparent success of the late experiment for the establishment of steam postal communication between the Australian colonies and Great Britain by way of Torres Straits, and the difficulties which have arisen with regard to the Panama route, to take such steps as may be consistent with public good faith, for transferring the interest of this colony fro-n the latter to the former scheme ? 8. Do the Government intend' making any arrangement for co-operating with the Government of Queensland iv the establishment of steam postal communication by way of Torres, Straits? Mr. Parkes said, in answer to the first and second questions, the oontraot into which the Government entered with the Government of New Zealand had been exeouted by, the Government of the colony, and submitted to that of New Zealand, and a despatch recently received stated that it had been executed by that GoTernment. The agreement was expeoted by the mail, steamer now due. 3. The usual rate will be charged on letters and newspapers by this route, as the Imperial Government carries them from Panama to England free of oharge. 4. It is impossible to get a correct estimate of the cost of conveyance of letters and papers by this route. 5. At present we do not know what the total cost will be. 6. No arrangements have been determined upon for putting an extra charge on the carriage of letters across the isthmus, or thence to Great Britain. 7. and 8. It is not the present intention of this Go- [ vernmeat to make any arrangement with the Governmeiit of Queensland, for co-operation in the, establishment of steam postal communication by way, of TT W rre« stwts, - Sydney Morning #««#*, *