TORRES STRAITS MAIL SERVICE. (FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1873 Session I, F-04a

F.—4a.

1873. NEW ZEALAND.

TORRES STRAITS MAIL SERVICE.

(FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO.)

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Hon. J. Bbamston to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Queenlsand, Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 13th September, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd July in reply to a circular letter from this office of the 14th May last on the subject of a proposed steam postal communication between the Australian Colonies and Great Britain by way of Java ; also copy of a letter addressed to you by the Postmaster-General of your Colony, submitting for consideration certain proposals as the basis of an agreement to be entered into between New Zealand and Queensland, having for its object a postal and commercial service, connecting them with each other and with Great Britain through the United States on the one hand, and through Java and Singapore on the other. I regret that the great pressure of business at the close of a protracted session should have prevented your letter from being brought under the consideration of the Government at an earlier period. At present, in consequence of the absence of the Premier, who is accompanying His Excellency Lord Normanby on an official visit to the Northern Territory of this Colony, and pending the arrival of Mr. Eraser, who may shortly be expected from England, it has not been deemed advisable to take further action in the matter. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. John Beamston.

No. 2. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet, Queensland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 6th August, 1873. Would you be willing to share with New Zealand the cost of subsidizing steamer between New Zealand ports and Queensland, with object of promoting commercial relations between the two Colonies, and of leading to reciprocal tariff arrangements. Julius Vogel.

No. 3. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet, Queensland, to the Hon. J. Vogel. (Telegram.) Witii a view of promoting purely commercial relations, we might entertain a proposition in connection with our mail service via Torres Straits. A. H. Palmer. By Authority: Ulosqi Dicsbubt, Goyernment Printer, Wellington.—lB73. Price, 3d.]