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D—No. 1

The Government of New Zealand belives that it would, in all probability, conduce to the interests alike of Victoria and New Zealand, if a Steam Vessel in connexion with that Service,were to ply once a month between Victoria and some central Port in New Zealand, with branch Steamers to the several Provinces. The sum to be paid to the above mentioned Company for maintaining a Vessel between Sydney and Nelson, is Fourteen Thousand Pounds per annum. The expense of a Vessel to Melbourne, having reference not only to the addition mileage to be performed, but to the higher Port charges, and prices of coals, at Melbourne than at Sydney, must be estimated as certain to be somewhat more ; I have therefore to request to be informed whether, if, oa further consideration, this Government should determine to institute a direct Steam Service once a month between Melbourne and Cook's Straits, the Government of Victoria would contribute, and, if so, what sum, towards the expense of such Service. I have, &c, (Signed) E. W. Stafford. The Honorable The Chief Secretary, Victoria. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM MR. COWPER TO COLONIAL SECRETARY OF NEW ZEALAND. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, New South Wales, September 17th, 1858. Sr,With reference to my Letter of the 27th of February last, and also to your communication of the 7th of April, respecting the Steam Service between the United Kingdom and the Australasian Colonies, I have now the honor to transmit for your information, copies of the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Executive Council of this Colony, in consequence of an Address presented to the Governor General by the Legislative Assembly on the 6th ultimo, on the subject ; and also of the Resolutions which have since been adopted by the Assembly, which indicate fully the arrangements by which it seems to this Government that the future conveyance of the Mails may be most effectually provided for. 2. It will be observed, that it is proposed that there should be two lines of communication, and that for one of these, namely that by way of Panama, the contract should be made by the Imperial Government and the Government of New South Wales, and that the other, by Suez or Point de Galle, should be arranged for in a similar way, by the Imperial Government, and the Government ol Victoria; the adjoining Colonies being requested to contribute towards the establishment of these lines, in return for the advantages which may be afforded to them respectively. 3. As the Colony of New Zealand will largely participate in the benefits which may be expected to be derived from the establishment of a Steam Postal Service by way of Panama, the Government of New South Wales confidently anticipates the co-operation of your Government in the arrangement; and I have therefore to request that you will favour me by stating whether New Zealand would be prepared to contribute towards carrying it into effect, in the same manner as was intended when a similar Service was formerly proposed. 4. I have forwarded to Victoria and the other adjoining Colonies, copies of the papers now enclosed, for their information, and invited them, at the same time, to unite with New South \N ales, in this effort to obtain Steam Postal Communication between the United Kingdom and the Australian Colonies by way of Panama. I have, &c, (Signed) Charlbs Cowper. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland, New Zealand. _______ 1858. LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, NEW SOUTH WALES. STEAM POSTAL COMMUNICATION WITH ENGLAND. [MINUTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.] Ordered by the Legislative. Assembly to be Printed, 27th August, 1858. W. DENISON, Message No. 26. Governor General. With reference to the Address of the Legislative Assembly on the 6th of this month respecting Steam Postal Communication with England, and the Governor General's reply thereto of

No. 95. (Endow re.)

(Encleiure,)