F.-3.

No. 78. Mr. Gray to the Secretary, General Post Office, Sydney. (Telegram.) Wellington, 7th May, 1879. Following telegram dated London, 2nd May, received from Agent-General on Saturday last:— " Treasury consequent upon Graham Berry's stating fortnightly Suez Service, Melbourne, Sydney probable, intimate impound twopence all services after February. Have expressed doubt Berry's authority act Sydney, or that Sydney favour fortnightly Suez Service. Protested also against changes during present Frisco contract. Forster concurring." Sir Bryan O'Loughlin also telegraphed the Colonial Secretary that, consequent upon interview Mr. Berry had with Lords of the Treasury, they had consented to reduce their demand for Imperial share of postage from fourpence to twopence. Postmaster-General is of opinion Agents-General should continue to urge our claims for continuance existing payments until expiry Frisco Contract. Postmaster-General would also be glad to be informed whether Mr. Berry w ras acting with authority on behalf your colony. Secretary, Post Office, Sydney. W. Gray.

No. 79. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, Sydney, to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, Wellington. (Telegram.) Sydney, Bth May, 1879. This Government no party to arrangement made by Mr. Berry for fortnightly service via Suez. We contend, like yourself, for continuance of present contribution to Frisco Service until termination of contract. The Hon. the Postmaster-General, AVellington. Postmaster-General.

No. 80. His Excellency the Governor of Sourn Australia to His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. (Telegram.) Adelaide, 15th May, 1879. Eeceived following telegram from Secretary of State : —"London, 13th May.—lnform other Governors Treasury will continue present arrangement carriage of mails; but after Ist February next will retain twopence instead of penny. —Hicks Beach." Goveknor.

No. 81. Mr. Gray to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— General Post Office, Wellington, 24th May, 1879. I am directed by the Hon. the Postmaster-General to forward for your information copy of a circular telegram addressed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the 13th instant, to the Governors ofthe several Australian Colonies through His Excellency the Governor of South Australia, from which you will observe that it is the intention of the Imperial Government to continue the existing arrangement in the matter of the Imperial postages until the 31st of January, 1880, and thereafter to retain twopence instead of one penny per half-ounce rate. This telegram should in no way affect the instructions contained in the Postmaster-General's letter of the sth instant, a copy of which, together with the enclosures thereto, is forwarded to you by tho present mail. The Hou. Mr. Fisher is at present, I regret to say, suffering from severe indisposition, and is unable, in consequence, to deal with the decision expressed in the telegram, but will communicate with you thereon by the ensuing mail. I have, Ac, AY. Gray, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Secretary.

No. 82. The Hon. J. T. Fisher to the Agent-Geneeal. Sir,— General Post Office, AVellington, 2nd June, 1879. I have the honor to forward herewith copy of a telegram* dated the 2nd ultimo, addressed by yourself to the Hon. the Postmaster-General, in further reference to the question of the Imperial postages, together with copy of the telegram sent upon receipt thereof to the New South AVales Government, and of the reply furnished thereto ; from which latter you will perceive that your surmise as to the New South Wales Government being no parties to the fortnightly Suez contract recently entered into by the Victorian Government was not unfounded. I have, Ac, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. J. T. Fisher. • Vide Nos. 76, 78, and 79,

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