THE TORRES STRAITS MAIL SERVICE, (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1875 Session I, F-04

37.-4.

1875. NEW ZEALAND.

THE TORRES STRAITS MAIL SERVICE, (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G., to the Hon. Dr. Pollen. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— llth June, 1875. I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Government, copy of correspondence with the Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Company (Limited). I have, Ac, The Hon. Dr. Pollen. Julius Vogel.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G., to Mr. J. F. Fidman, Secretary, Eastern and Australian Steam Company (Limited). 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sie— sth June, 1875. From certain unofficial correspondence which has passed between us, I understand that your Company desires to make arrangements with the New Zealand Government to extend its steam line to that colony. 2. A consideration of the time that would be occupied in the transmission of mails, even supposing the Companv increased the present rate of speed of its boats, convinces me that,-for the purpose of mail communication between New Zealand and England, the service would be of little if any value to the colony. 3. At the same time, I am of opinion that, were regular steam communication established, a very large trade would be likely to grow up between New Zealand on the one hand, and Queensland (including the most northerly ports at which the Company's boats call), Java, and Singapore on the other. The difference of climate between New Zealand and the other countries named would of itself seem to afford sufficient reason for believing that an interchange of their respective principal productions might be carried on extensively and profitably. New Zealand, I believe, could supply grain in large quantities, ale, cordage, and other articles, all of which the climate and circumstances of the colony enable to be produced of great excellence and at low cost. An interchange of live stock between New Zealand and Queensland, might, I think, be made with advantage to both colonies. On the other hand, there must be numerous tropical productions which the countries I have mentioned could advantageously supply to New Zealand. I can see, therefore, great good to arise from an extension to New Zealand of the Company's service. 4. I am not authorized to conclude any arrangement, but no doubt my recommendation would have some weight in the matter. In any case, 1 would act as the medium for sending out any proposal which the Company might think it desirable to make. 5. Will you therefore let me know the lowest subsidy for which the Company would be willing to allow their main boats to run from Brisbane to Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, calling at Nelson only if necessity should arise. At Port Chalmers there is an excellent graving dock ; and I am of opinion that generally, throughout the colony, coal will shortly be obtainable of good quality and at reasonable rates, as coal mines in different parts of the colony are now being developed with great earnestness. Ido not make a point of an increase in the present rate of speed of the Company's boats; that is a question I would prefer to leave to be dealt with between the Queensland Government and the Company. 6. If I think that the offer of the Company is likely to be entertained by the New Zealand Government, I will, if you wish it, telegraph it out; but if nothing can be gained by that course, I can forward the offer by mail on Friday next, with observations which may perhaps promote the purpose in view. Ido not think the Government would accept any offer without first submitting it to the Assembly ; but as the Assembly would be in session when my letter (supposing it to be sent by Friday's mail) reached Wellington, no very long time would be needed for obtaining a decision, the result of which could be telegraphed to me.

I\—4,

2

7. A continuance of the present detention of the Company's steamers at Brisbane would not, I think, be inconvenient; on the contrary, it would facilitate those business operations which it would be the desire of the New Zealand Government in making an arrangement with the Company to see established. I have, Ac, J. F. Fidman, Esq., Secretary, Julius Vogel. Eastern and Australian Steam Company (Limited).

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Mr. J. F. Fldman, Secretary, Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Company (Limited), to the Hon. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G. Sib,— 34, Leadenhall Street, E.C., 9th June, 1875. I have the honor to own receipt of your letter of sth instant, on the subject of a possible extension of this Company's line to Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers. I note that you doubt the advantage of the Singapore route as a mail line between the colony and England; but on this head I would point out that, although the delivery of letters from London may be accomplished via San Francisco in a less time than via Singapore, the latter route is free from the contingencies attendant on the former, and would offer a desirable alternative service, and serve as a postal connection between British India, China, the Archipelago, and New Zealand. I quite agree with you that the proposed connection at Brisbane may be expected to develop trade; but the line at the outset would be so purely an experimental one, that the Directors do not feel able to name the subsidy required for the service, until in possession of fuller information from the agents in Brisbane and Wellington. Under these circumstances, perhaps you will kindly let this correspondence go out by the mail on Friday, the Directors being anxious that the question shall be fully considered, and quite prepared, when sufficient data are before them, to lay a definite proposal before you. I have, Ac, J. F. Fidman, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G. Secretary.

No. 2. Memoeandum from the Hon. Sir J. Vogel to the Hon. Dr. Pollen. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., . Sib,— llth June, 1875. I left to Mr. Thomas Eussell the negotiations for a mail service via California. Even had I not had other business sufficient to very completely occupy me, I could not have brought to the mailservice question so intimate a knowledge of all that has passed during the last year or two as is possessed by Mr. Eussell, and I am certain it will be recognized that the matter could not be in abler hands. Mr. Eussell has from time to time consulted me, and I have found myself able to approve of the steps he was taking. I have received communication from the Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Company (Limited), intimating their willingness to arrange for sending their boats on from Queensland to New Zealand. I forward the correspondence to you. I do not think the Company's boats would be of much use to us for mail purposes, but it seems to me that, supposing the cost to be reasonable, they would be of great value for commercial purposes. Between New Zealand, Northern Australia, Java, and Singapore, a very large trade ought to be possible, for New Zealand could supply those countries with many articles readily consumable in them, and New Zealand could readily consume many tropical productions which those countries could supply. I have, Ac, The Hon. Dr. Pollen. Julius Vogel. I mmmm^m^^^^^mm.

No. 3. The Postmasteb-Geneeal, Queensland, to the Postmastee-Genebal, Wellington. Sib, — Postmaster-General's Department, Brisbane, 9th July, 1875. With reference to the contract now existing between the Government of Queensland and Messrs. Mactaggart, Tidman, and Company, for the conveyance of English mails via Torres Straits, I have the honor to inform you that it is proposed to arrange, if possible, for a higher rate of speed, so as to make the service more efficient. In connection with this matter, it is considered that very probably your Government might be disposed to co-operate with that of Queensland, not only to secure this, but also to provide for a branch line to run between Brisbane and Auckland. The latter service could no doubt be provided for at a reasonable additional amount, and when the whole subsidy is distributed between the colonies concerned, the cost to each would be reasonable. If your Government is disposed to assent to this proposal, which is only a preliminary one, I shall then be in a position to obtain from the contractors a tender for the combined services, which would, of course, be subject to approval of the Governments concerned.

3

P.—4.

There are several questions connected with the proposed extension which are not in my province to raise, but on receipt of your reply, which I trust will be an affirmative one, I will move my colleagues to take the necessary action, if they consider they are in a position to do so. Requesting the favour of an early reply, I have, &c, The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. G-eorge Thorn, jun.

No. 4. The Hon. Mr. Beynolds to the Hon. the Postmasteb-Geneeal, Queensland. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 21st August, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th ultimo, in which you inform me that, with the view of increasing the efficiency of the Torres Straits Mail Service, it is proposed to arrange, if possible, for a higher rate of speed; and you express the hope that the Government of this colony might be disposed to co-operate with the Government of Queensland, not only to secure this desideratum, but also to arrange and provide for a branch service to run between Brisbane and Auckland. 2. In reply, I have the honor to state that, after giving the subject of your letter careful consideration, the Government of this colony, are unable to favourably entertain your proposal, inasmuch as it is believed that the Torres Straits Mail Service would not be of any value to this colony as an alternative service for the exchange of mails between this colony and the United Kingdom. The Government, therefore, think it undesirable to disturb the existing mail-service arrangements, —at least for the present. 3. This Government, however, would be willing to entertain any proposal of the Queensland Government, or of the Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Company, for establishing steam communication between this colony and Queensland; and, in anticipation of any such offer being made, the Parliament now in session will be asked to make provision for such a contingency. I may add that this Government are of the opinion that beneficial results would follow the establishing of regular steam communication between Brisbane and this colony. 4. Since the receipt of your letter, a communication has been received from Sir Julius Vogel, enclosing copy of correspondence which had taken place in London with the Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Company, from which I learn that the Directors of the Company are not yet in a position to name the subsidy required for extending their line of steamers to this colony. 5. Awaiting a further communication from you on the subject, I have, Ac, William H. Eeynolds. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Queensland.

No. 5. Mr. J. McDonnell to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Wellington. Sib, — Postmaster-General's Department, Brisbane, 16th July, 1875. I am directed to forward enclosed herewith, for your information, two copies of the Postal Convention between the General Post Office, Queensland, and the General Post Office, Straits Settlements. I have, Ac, John McDonnell, The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington. Under Secretary.

Enclosure in No. 5. Convention between the Geneeal Post Office of the Colony of Queensland and the Geneeal Post Office of the Colony of the Steaits Settlements. (Laid on the Table of the Legislative Council by Command, and ordered to be printed, 13th July, 1875.) The General Post Office of the Colony of Queensland, and the General Post Office of the Colony of the Straits Settlements, being desirous of establishing and maintaining an exchange of mails between Brisbane and the other Australian ports —Tasmania and New Zealand on the one hand, and Singapore and other ports on the other hand—by means of the Eastern and Australian line of steamers, the undersigned, duly authorized for that purpose, have agreed upon the following articles: — Aeticle I. There shall be a direct exchange of mails between the Post Office of Queensland on the one part, and the Post Office of Singapore on the other part, comprising letters, newspapers, prices current, books, packets, and packets of samples originating in the Australian colonies, Tasmania, and New Zealand, and addressed to the Straits Settlements; or originating in the Straits Settlements and addressed to the Australian colonies, Tasmania, and New Zealand. These mails shall be conveyed by the Eastern and Australian line of steamers between Brisbane, Eockhampton, Townsville, Somerset, and Singapore.

P.—4

4

Aeticle 11. Tho postage to be collected in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, upon paid correspondence addressed to the Straits Settlements, shall be on letters, sixpence (6d.) per % oz.; newspapers, one penny (Id.) each (prices current being classed as newspapers); books, packets, and packets of samples, twopence (2d.) per 2 oz. The postage to be collected in the Straits Settlements upon paid correspondence addressed to the Australian colonies, Tasmania, and New Zealand to be the same as that collected in Queensland, viz. letters, sixpence (6d.) per _■ oz. ; newspapers, one penny (Id.) each (prices current included with newspapers) ; books, packets, and packets of samples, twopence (2d.) per 2 oz. The correspondence thus paid shall be delivered at the place of destination, whether in the Australian colonies, Tasmania, or New Zealand, or the Straits Settlements, free of all charge whatever. Letters or packets posted in either colony insufficiently paid, shall, if bearing at least a single rate of postage, be forwarded, and shall be charged at the place of destination with the postage deficient, and a single rate of postage as a fine. Aeticle 111. Every letter, newspaper, price current, book, packet, or packet of samples addressed to the Straits Settlements from Queensland, or the other Australian colonies, Tasmania, or New Zealand, via Queensland, shall be delivered free of charge, without any claim on the part of the General Post Office of the Straits Settlements against the General Post Office of Queensland; but on all letters despatched from the Straits Settlements to Queensland, or to the other Australian colonies, Tasmania, or New Zealand, via Queensland, the General Post Office of Queensland shall be credited 8 cents or fourpence the -j oz., and 4 cents or twopence per 4 ozs., on books, packets, and packets of samples despatched to Queensland and the other Australian colonies, Tasmania, and New Zealand, via Queensland. The postage and fine charged on insufficiently paid letters and packets to be retained by the office delivering them. The fee for registering any letter to be retained by the Eegistering Office. Aeticle IV. Every insufficiently paid letter or packet shall be plainly marked with the words " insufficiently paid ;" and every letter or packet, whether fully paid or not, shall bear the date stamp of the office at which it was posted. Aeticle V. Dead letters, newspapers, Ac, which cannot be delivered from whatever cause, shall be mutually returned without charge, monthly, or as frequently as the regulations of the respective offices will permit. Aeticle VI. The two offices may, by mutual consent, make such detailed regulations as shall be found necessary to carry out the objects of this arrangement; such regulations to terminate any time, on a reasonable notice by either office. Aeticle VII. This Convention shall come into operation on the Ist day of March, 1875, and shall be terminable at any time, on a notice by either office of six months. Done in duplicate, and signed at Brisbane, on the 4th day of March, 1875. George Thobn, jun. Approved—W. W. Caibns. And at Singapore, on the 4th day of May, 1875. W. W. Williams, Acting Colonial Secretary (for Postmaster-General), Straits Settlements. Approved—A. Claeke.

No. 6. Mr. Geay to the Seceetaey, General Post Office, Brisbane. Sib, — General Post Office, Wellington, 9th. August, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 16th ultimo, forwarding two copies of the Postal Convention between your department and the General Post Office of the Colony of the Straits Settlements. I have, Ac, W. Geay, The Secretary, General Post Office, Brisbane. Secretary.

By Authority : Gbobgb Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7s.