BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA.

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A.—No. 6,

600 feet; coast line very bold. It is almost entirely covered with scrub and trees of stunted growth— tho Tupari, Akc-ake, and Kokomuka. Of McQuarrie cabbage there is abundance and of fine growth, some of the leaves measuring two feet in diameter. Patches clear of scrub are clothed with the tutaki tussock. The soil is peaty and well mingled with guano, and very moist. AVhat rocks I saw were of the felspathic group. We found no water at all palatable —some I drank being quite brackish—but then the birds would render tho best undrinkable." 9. Thus it appears that, instead of being " destitute of vegetation," these islands, or rather the main island, is "almost entirely covered with scrub and trees of stunted growth;" there is also a landingplace, but it remains to be seen how often it would be possible to effect a landing, and whether bulky articles could be landed in safety. The only objection that I can at present see to the erection of a small and comparatively inexpensive lighthouse on the summit of the main island is its height (500 to 600 feet), as a light at such an elevation would, I fear, be liable to be frequently obscured by fogs ; it may be possible, on visiting the island, to select a site at an elevation not exceeding 200 feet which will permit the light to be visible in all necessary directions. An elevation of 200 feet would give a range of visibility of about twenty-two nautic miles in clear weather, which is ample for all practical purposes ; and it would make the light much less liable to be obscured by fogs, a matter of the utmost importance. 10. From the foregoing extracts it will be obvious that it is quite possible to erect a lighthouse on the Snares ; the cost will depend almost entirely on the landing facilities. It should be a light of the most powerful description procurable, and I should estimate the cost of the lantern and apparatus in England at from £4,000 to £5,000, with a view to procuring a very powerful flash. A revolving white light attaining its greatest brilliance every minute would probably be the most suitable arrangement. The cost of the buildings can only be guessed iv the mean time ; but, unless the difficulties are more formidable than 1 anticipate, I consider that a sum not exceeding£ls,ooo in all would suffice for every thing, i.e. apparatus £5,000, building £10,000. The cost of maintenance would be considerable. Considering the inaccessibility of the site, it would be proper to have at least four keepers ; and these should either be better paid than at other .lighthouses or should receive rations in addition to their pay. The annual cost of maintaining tho station should not be estimated lower than £1,200 to £1.500. In addition to this, however, it would be necessary to charter a vessel to visit the station at least four times a year ; and on one if not two of her trips she ought to go on to the Auckland Islands, to renew the depot of provisions, and examine the islands for possible castaways ; this service would probably cost not less than £500. Consequently the annual cost of maintaining such a light should not bo estimated under about £2,000 sterling. 11. Thus, in considering the propriety of erecting a lighthouse on the Snares, it would be proper to contemplate an original expenditure of not less than £15,000, and an annual outlay little if at all under £2,000. 12. Should the Government decide to take further steps in the matter, I should propose to visit the Snares in the " St. Kilda" in the course of tho coming summer ; after which I should be able to make a more minute report, and to furnish more detailed estimates of the probable cost of the work. I have, &c., The Hon. the Postmaster-General, James M. Balfour, AVellington. Colonial Marine Engineer.

No. 3. The Hon. Sir Richard Dry to the Hon. E. AY. Stafford. (B. 1405.) Tasmania, Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, 21th November, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on tho 18th instant, of your letter of the 29th ultimo, enclosing a copy of a Resolution adopted by the New Zealand House of Representatives, " recommending that steps should be taken to ascertain the position of the Colony in relation to Commercial Treaties between Great Britain and Foreign Powers, and especially that authority should be sought to enable New Zealand, in conjunction with the Australasian Colonies, to enter into negociations with the United States for the free admission into that country of wool, the product of those Colonies ;" and suggesting that a conference of delegates from the various Colonies should be held in Sydney about the Ist of Eebruary next, for the purpose of considering this, and the important questions of the free interchange of products between the Colonies, the Ocean Postal Service, the establishment of a Depot at the Auckland Islands, and the erection of a Lighthouse on the Snares. In reply, I have to inform you that this Government fully recognises the gravity of the questions raised by you, and will willingly join in the proposed conference. I may, however, point out that at the season in which it is proposed that the conference should be held, it is not improbable that the heat in Sydney will be so great as to cause inconvenience to the delegates, and perhaps to hinder their deliberations. I would therefore suggest that the meeting should take place in Hobart Town, which is conveniently situated, and where the temperature is moderate. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Richard Dry. New Zealand.

No. 4 The Hon. J. Robertson to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. (No. 190.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir, — Sydney, New South AVales, 4th December, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th October last, in explanation of the general object of a Resolution, a copy of which you forwarded, adopted by your Houso