E.—3

16

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 22. Mr. Heebert to the Seceetaet of the Treasury. Sic, — Downing Street, 24th January, 1873. With reference to my letter of the 18th instant, transmitting, for the information of tho Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, a Despatch from the Governor of New Zealand with a Memo- _ randum expressing the views of his Ministers on the subject of the Mail Service between England and the Australasian Colonies, I am directed to enclose a letter from Dr. Featherston, tho AgentGeneral for New Zealand in this country. Lord Kimberley has always understood that their Lordships' letter of the 14th August left it open to the Australian Colonies to " arrange conjointly," or by a " substantial majority," to recommend any second monthly service in addition to the one stipulated for via Point de Galle (whether by way of San Francisco or any other route), provided that such second service should be "alternative with the other;" and His Lordship does not perceive why Dr. Featherston should feel difficulty in drawing the same conclusion. As, however, it would appear possible that there may be some misconception on this subject at the Conference, Lord Kimberley is disposed to" think that it would be as well to send a telegram to the Conference now sitting in Sydney, to the effect that as there appears to be some misapprehension in this country, it is to be understood that the Lords Commissioners do not exclude from their consideration any second service that may be recommended by the Colonies, in pursuance of the letter of the 14th August, although they hold themselves free to decline any such second service. Lord Kimberley will be glad to receive their Lordships' reply to this letter at their earliest convenience, as the sitting of the Conference may not be prolonged. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Treasury. E. G. W. Herbert. Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 22. Mr. Law to the Undee Seceetart of State, Colonial Office. Sic, — Treasury Chambers, 29th January, 1873. With reference to your letter of the 21th instant, transmitting a letter from Dr. Featherston, the Agent-General for New Zealand in this country, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to state that my Lords concur in tho telegram which the Earl of Kimberley proposes to send to the Conference now sitting in Sydney, to consider tho question of the future mail service to Australia, to the effect that as there appears to be some misapprehension in this country, it is to be understood that this Board do not exclude from their consideration any second mail service that may be recommended by the Australian Colonies, in pursuance of their letter of the 1-lth August (provided it is alternative with the'other), although they hold themselves free to decline any such second service. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. William Law.

Not received. A. No. 1, Enclosure in N0.9 Enlosure 1 iv No. 21. A. No. 2, Enclosure 1 in Wo.l.

No. 21 and Knclosure 1.

No. 23. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaex. 7, "Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, "Westminster, S.W., Sic,— 6th February, 1873. I have the honor to enclose copy of the telegram sent to Sir H. Robinson by Lord Kimberley, in accordance with the suggestion made in my, letter of the 23rd January last, copy of which was transmitted in letter of 21th ultimo. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, rN.Z. Agent-General.

Enclosure in No. 23. The Earl of Kiaiberley to Sir H. Eouinsok, Sydney. (Telegram.) 28th January, 1873. Inform Conference that as there appears to be some misapprehension in this country, it is to bo understood that the Treasury does not exclude from their consideration any second mail service recommended by the Australian Colonies, in pursuance of their letter of the 14th August, provided it is alternative into the other, although they hold themselves free to decline any such service.

JL No. 2, Enclosure 1 iv Jib. 1.

No. 24. The Hon. J. Vogel and the Hon. W. H. Betnolds to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet, New South Wales. Sic,— Sydney, 30th January, 1873. In order that you may be at liberty to use the information outside the Conference, we now beg to make proposals respecting the Califbrnian Service, iv the form which we have already described to you.