A.—3

12

After some discussion, it was moved by Sir Henry Ayers, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and carrie d, —" That the further consideration of the mail service question be postponed until the next sitting day." Mr. Barrow then gave notice of the following motion, to be considered when the question of lighthouses is under consideration :—" That in order to perfect the lighting-up of the South Australian and Victorian coasts, the following additional lights are required, viz. : — (I.) A light on Penguin Island, Eivoli Bay, about midway between Cape Jaffa and Cape Northumberland. * (2.) A light on Cape Bridgewater. (3.) A light on Earn Head, about thirty-five miles west of Cape Howe." The Conference then adjourned at half-past 11 o'clock, until next day at the usual hour. Henet Pakkes, Chairman.

At the Treasury, Sydney, Friday, 31st January, 1873. Present: — New South Wales: The Hon. Henry Parkes. South Australia: The Hon. Sir Henry Ayers. The Hon. Saul Samuel. The Hon. J. H. Barrow. New Zealand: The Hon. Julius Vogel. Tasmania : The Hon. F. M. Innes. The Hon. W. H. Eeynolds. The Hon. J. M. Wilson. Queensland : The Hon. A. H. Palmer. Victoria: The Hon. J. G. Francis. The Hon. J. M. Thompson. The Hon. E. Langton. Western Australia : The Hon. P. P. Barlee. The Conference having met at the usual hour, the minutes of the proceedings of the 30th instant, were read and confirmed. 1. Mr. Vogel then moved, " That the consideration of the following motion, notice of which had been given by him on Wednesday last, bo postponed:—(1.) That since a unanimous decision concerning the Galle Service cannot be arrived at, the undersigned representatives of the Colonies of and which Colonies contain , out of a total population for the whole of the Australasian Colonies of , urge upon the Imperial Government to leave the Colony of Victoria to arrange for the Galle Service to Melbourne, on the following conditions :—That from the total cost of the service between Galle and Australia, including the cost of the necessary branch services to connect ■with the Colonies in Australia at which the mail steamer does not call, and with New Zealand and Tasmania, the Imperial subsidy be first deducted, and the balance be paid by the whole of the Australasian Colonies, in the proportion of the letters they severally despatch by the route. (2.) A maximum sum to be named for each branch service, and the Colonies respectively interested to make each its own arrangements for its own branch service." 2. Mr. Wilson then, pursuant to notice, moved as follows :— "That the Governments of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, be advised to accept the proposal of the Lords of the Treasury, for the establishment and maintenance of a four-weekly mail service between Point de Galle and a port or ports in Australia, on the understanding that the cost of the branch services required to deliver the Queensland, Tasmanian, and New Zealand mails shall be considered as part of the cost of the whole service ; and on the further understanding that the several Governments shall contribute to the cost of the whole service in proportion to the correspondence conveyed by such mail service to and from each Colony. When, after discussion, it was amended, as follows:—"That subject to conditions which have been or may be determined by this Conference, the Governments of New South Wales, New Zealand. Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and West Australia, be advised to accept the proposal of the Lords of the Treasury, for the establishment and maintenance of a four-weekly mail service between Point de Galle and a port or ports in Australia, on the understanding that the cost of the branch services shall be considered as part of the cost of the whole service ; and on the further understanding that the several Governments shall contribute to the cost of the whole service in proportion to the correspondence conveyed by such mail service from each Colony." Ayes. Noes. Mr. Francis, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Langton, Mr. Parkes. Mr. Vogd, Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Innes, Mr. Wilson, Sir Henry Ayers, Mr. Barrow, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Barlee. 3. Mr. Wilson then, with the concurrence of the Conference, withdrew the addendum moved by him to the motion before referred to, viz.:—" That a representation be made to the Imperial Government that its proposed contribution of £40,000 towards the mail service will be found consider-