A.—3

10

New South "Wales and Victoria, equal amounts, namely, each ... New Zealand Queensland South Australia ... Tasmania "Western Australia (4.) " The principal service shall be performed within periods which shall insure the delivery in London of the Sydney mails in days, and of the Melbourne mails in days ; and the delivery of the English mails in Melbourne in days, and in Sydney in days. (5.) " The Governments of New South Wales and Victoria are requested to act jointly on behalf of the other Colonies in calling for tenders and making the mail contract, as proposed by the Lords of the Treasury, governed by the terms of this resolution: and if either of the said Governments decline to act, then the other Government is hereby authorized to do all things necessary within the same limits to establish the new service." Mr. Parkes drew the attention of the Conference to the business to be brought forward after the subjects of postal service and intercolonial free trade have been disposed of, when it was unanimously resolved as follows : —That the order of business be : Telegraphs, Disease in Stock, Coast Lights, the Investment of Trust Funds and Securities, and Border Customs. 3. Mr. Langton then moved the following resolution: —" That inasmuch as the railway from Melbourne to Albury will be completed during the current year, and as mails can then be conveyed between Melbourne and Sydney in thirty-four hours, or twenty-two hours less than the average time occupied by the P. and O. Company's steamers, thus securing the delivery of New South AVales and Queensland Mails one day earlier than at present,—the terminus of the Galle line should be at Melbourne." The motion having been discussed, Mr. Parkes moved, That all the words after the word " That," at the commencement of Mr. Langton's motion, be omitted, with a view to the insertion of tin 1 following words :—the Colonies of New South "Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and "West Australia, assembled by their duby accredited representatives in Conference at Sydney, agree to accept the proposal of the Imperial Government for the conveyance of Her Majesty's mails between Ceylon and Australia, as communicated to the Governments of the several Colonies, by Lord Kimberley's Despatch transmitting the letter of the Lords of the Treasury, dated 14th August, 1872, with the following conditions : — (1.) " The mail ships of the main line shall proceed from Point de Galle to Sydney, calling at Cockburn Sound, in Western Australia, at Glenelg (to receive and deliver mails) in South Australia, and at the Port of Melbourne ; and on each return voyage shall call at the same places. (2.) " Branch services between Melbourne and Launceston, between Melbourne and a port in New Zealand, and between Sydney and Queensland ports, shall form part of and be in regular connection with the principal service. (3.) " The several Colonies shall contribute to the subsidy required to establish this general service, in addition to the yearly sum of £40,000 offered by Great Britain, the amount set opposite the name of each hereunder, viz.: — New South Wales and Victoria, equal amounts, namely, each New Zealand Queensland] South Australia ... Tasmania Western Australia (4.) " The principal service shall be performed within periods which shall insure the delivery in London of the Sydney mails in days, and of the Melbourne mails in days ; and the delivery of the English mails in Melbourne in days, and in Sydney in days. (5.) " The Governments of New South Wales and Victoria are requested to act jointly on behalf of the other Colonies in calling for tenders and making the mail contract, as proposed by the Lords of the Treasun r, governed by the terms of this resolution; and if either of the said Governments decline to act, then the other Government is hereby authorized to do all things necessary within the same limits to establish the new service." The Chairman then put the following motion, " That the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question," when, on division, it was decided in the affirmative. Ayes, 9. Noes, 4. Mr. Francis, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Langton, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Vogel, Mr. Samuel, and Mr. Eeynolds, The Chairman. Mr. Innes, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Barlee, Sir Henry Ayers, Mr. Barrow.