5 E.—No. 1.

All letters, Ac, for New Zealand which are not directed to be forwarded by any particular route, wdll be sent by the first mail despatched, whether via Suez or via Panama, but letters for the several Australian Colonies will not be forwarded via Panama unless specially so directed. By command ofthe Postmaster-General. General Post Office, 26th September, 1866.

No. 4. Copy of Despatch from Lord Cabnaevon to His Excellency Sir Geoege Geet, K.C.B. Sic,— Downing Street, 20th October, 1866. I referred to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, a copy of your Despatch No. 72, of the 24th of July, forwarding a Memorandum from your Responsible Advisers, respecting the transmission of mails by the Panama route, and the rates of postage to be charged on letters, newspapers, &c, which may be sent that way. I have the honor to transmit for your information a copy of the letter which has been received in reply. You have already been informed by my Despatch No. 35, of the 11th instant, that the necessary steps have been taken to meet the wishes of your Government on this subject. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c. . Cabhaevon.

No. 30 of Panama Pipes.lB66, page No. 8 in tliis Scries.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE IMPERIAL POST OFFICE. No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Scudamobe to the Hon. Joiin Hall. Sib,— General Post Office, 27th August, 1866. On the 13th instant mails from Victoria, New South "Wales, and New Zealand reached this country by the "West India packet "Tasmania," which mails although intended for transmission via Panama, had been made up precisely in the same manner as the mails usually received by way of Southampton, the amount of postage prepaid on the various classes of correspondence being the same, viz.:—sixpence per single letter, one penny per newspaper, fourpence per four ounces for book packets; and the whole of the postage between the Colonies and the United Kingdom being retained by the several Colonial Post Offices. This Department, however, was entitled to its inland rate of one penny per half-ounce on the letters, and one penny per four ounces on paid book packets and patterns of merchandise, as well as to half tho fee on registered letters, in accordance with the arrangement mentioned in my letter of the Slst May last (No. 579 E.) ; and consequently, in preparing the acknowledgments for these mails, this office has taken credit for the sums to which it is entitled under the above heads. I enclose the acknowledgments, and I shall be glad if you will have the goodness to communicate with the Post Offices of Victoria and New South "Wales on this subject, as well as to give instructions to the New Zealand offices of exchange with respect to the proper treatment of mails forwarded to this country in future by the route of Panama. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, &c, "Wellington. Fbank Jos. Sctjdamoee.

No. 6. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. John Hall to the Seceetaky, General Post Office, London. Sic, — General Post Office, "Wellington, 2nd January, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 66,711, of the 27th August last, on the subject of irregularities in the disposal of the postage collected on the mails forwarded to Great Britain by the " Tasmanian," in that month. I have given such instructions as will, I trust, prevent any recurrence of this circumstance, and I have also transmitted a copy of your letter to tho Postmaster-General of New South Wales. I have, &c, John Hall, The Secretary, General Post Office, London. Postmaster-General.

No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Scttdamobe to the Hon. Joiin Hall. Sib,— General Post Office, London, 17th September, 1866. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to transmit for your consideration copy of a letter from the Acting British Post Office Agent at Panama, communicating certain suggestions with reference to the New Zealand mails transmitted by the Panama route. At the same time I am directed by His Grace to state that those suggestions meet with the full concurrence of this Department, and to express the hope that your office will be disposed to take the same view of the matter, and to adopt the proposed measures. I have, &c, The Postmaster-General, &c, "Wellington. F. J. Scudajiore. 2

THE PANAMA MAIL SERVICE.