SATURDAY,I6TH MARCH,IB67.

Otago Witness, Issue 805, 4 May 1867, Page 9

SATURDAY,16TH MARCH,1867.

"With the exception of the Hon. A. Macalister, the whole of the delegates were present.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed —

Mr Gore, at the suggestion of the Conference, agreed to the following amended intimation on the subject of the extension of the electric telegraph in Queensland, feeing entered on the minutes of the proceedings: — " That it is the intention of the Colony of Queensland to proceed^with the extension of the electric telegraph wire beyond Port Denison, until it reaches the point where it is intended to unite with the submarine' cable of the Anglo-Indian Telegraph Company, provided, that if, within two (2) years, no steps are in progress for laying the submarine cable, the colony ■will establish a line to Cape York."

Mr Gore consented to his motion on the subject of the mail Bteaniers calling at the northern ports of Queensland being amended as follows :—: —

"That in any contract entered into for the conveyance of the mails via Brisbane and Torres Straits, it shall be stipulated that the mail steamships shall receive and deliver mails at Keppel Bay and Port Denison, provided the total delay each trip shall not exceed six hours."

The resolution, as amended, having keen seconded by Mr Verdon, "was agreed toby the Conference.' 5 Mr Hall moved :—: — *

"That pending the coming into operation of the General Scheme, of Postal Communication decided on "by the Conference, it is expedient that a joint contribution should be made to the cost of the Panama Mail Service, in considera-

tion. of this service being .throwr^open for! use by all the Australian Colonies. "That in pursuance of the' foregoing resolution mails to and from all these Colonies should be conveyed by the Panama steamers, free of charge, and that the colonies of Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania should furnish a' joint annual contribution of L 20,000 to the cost of this service. " Seconded by Mr Parkes. Discussion ensued. Consideration of motion postponed until next meeting of Conference.

Mr Verdon consented to his motion (No. 1) on the subject of the establishing of. a Federal Council being amended as follows —

"That it is expedient for the purpose of carrying into effect the resolutions of this Conference, that a Federal Council be established, consisting of representatives of the Australasian Colonies. "

The resolution, as amended, having been seconded by Mr Parkes, was agreed to by the Conference.

The consideration of Mr Verdon's motion (No. 2) on same subject was postponed until the next meeting of the Conference.

Mr Parkes handed in Draft Memorial to Her Majesty the Queen, which was read to the Conference and ordered to be printed.

Mr Parkes gave notice that at the next meeting of the Conference he will move, That the Memorial to Her Majesty, read on the 16th, be adopted by the Conference.

Mr Hall gave notice that at the next meeting of the Conference he will move, That " The List of Branch Mail Services required," submitted by him (paper 11) be adopted by the Conference.

Mr Ward gave notice that at the next meeting of Conference he will move that the " Sketch Time-Table" submitted by him (paper 12) be considered by the Conference.

Mr Verdon gave notice that at the next meeting of the Conference he will move, in connection with the resolution agreed to, in favor of establishing a Federal Council —

"That in the opinion of this Conference other subjects of common interest, as they arise from time to time, may be advantageously referred to such a Council."

The meetingthen adjourned, at 12 noon, until 10 a. m. on Monday, the lSth March, 1867.