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ably to fall short of one-half the cost of the direct and branch services between Point de Galle and the Australasian Colonies, and therefore that a reasonable augmentation of the subsidy should be accorded." 4. Mr. Innes also, with the concurrence of the Conference, withdrew the following notice standing in his name: —"That in the event of separate contracts being entered into for the conveyance of European and Australian mails, it is expedient that a compact should be made between the respective contracting Governments to adhere to the same rate of postage." 5. Mr. Wilson then proposed, and Mr. Eeynolds seconded, the following motion : —" That should the representatives of New South Wales, during the continuation of this Conference, concur in the action of the Conference in regard to the Gralle Service, the arrangements be left to the Governments of New South Wales, Scjuth Australia, and Victoria; but that otherwise the necessary steps for entering into a contract be undertaken by Victoria." The said motion having been put from the Chair, was carried, on the following division : — Ayes. Noes. Mr. Francis, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Langton, Mr. Parkes. Mr. Vogel, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Innes, Mr. Wilson, Sir Henry Avers, Mr. Barrow, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Barlee. 6. Mr. Palmer gave notice of the following motion, to be made on a future day:—"That the Governments of the Colonies interested in branch services make the necessary arrangements for their respective services with the Government or Governments of the Colony or Colonies in charge of the contract for the mail service from Galle." 7. Mr. Innes gave notice of the following motion : —" That the Conference take into consideration the question of existing means for the transmission, overland, of the New South Wales and Queensland portion of the mails, with a view to the adoption of such temporary arrangements as will meet the requirements of these Colonies, pending the completion of railway communication suitable for the transmission of mails from Melbourne to Sydney." 8. Mr. Wilson gave notice of the following motion : —" That this Conference move the Imperial Government to pay all charges upon the transmission of mails to and from London and San Francisco (retaining on account thereof all the postages collected in Great Britain), and to contribute the sum of £20,000 per annum towards a single service between San Francisco, New Zealand, and Sydney;, such service to be agreed upon between the Governments of New Zealand and New South Wales." 9. Mr. Langton gave notice of the following motion : —" That, in the opinion of this Conference, the Imperial Government should be moved to contribute the sum of £5,000 per annum towards a service from Singapore to Queensland and New South Wales ; such service to be arranged for by the Governments of Queensland and New South Wales, —South Australia undertaking to contribute the sum of £2,000 per annum if the mail steamers call at Port Darwin." 10. Mr. Vogel gave notice of the following motion:—" That these resolutions be telegraphed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with a statement showing what Colonies have voted for and against each resolution ; and that the Secretary of State be requested to telegraph to the Conference the views of Her Majesty's Government upon the resolutions." 11. Mr. Francis gave notice of the following motion : —" The Conference is of opinion that, should there be more than one Califoruian Service, the Imperial subsidy should not be paid as long as the double service continues." On the motion of Sir Henry Ayers, it was resolved, " That the Conference adjourn until Monday next, at 10 o'clock." The Conference adjourned accordingly, at twenty-five minutes to 1 o'clock, until Monday, at 10 a.m. Henet Paekes, Chairman.

At the Treasury, Sydney, Monday, 3rd February, 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. ~F. P. Barlee. The Conference having met at 10 o'clock a.m., the minutes of the proceedings on the 31st ultimo were read and confirmed.