F.—s

12

nies, on account of the alteration of the arrangement by which the Colonial Governments were to be credited 4d. on every outward letter, it has been agreed on behalf of Victoria that the Imperial Post Office should continue to credit the 4d. in question, leaving that Government to arrange with the other colonies primarily interested in the service via Suez, King George's Sound, Adelaide, and Melbourne as to their several contributions. I have now the honor to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government have consented to accede to this proposal, although entailing loss upon the Imperial Exchequer, as it appears to them to meet in a satisfactory manner the requirements of the colonies which previously enjoyed the advantages of the cheaper postage-rates by the Southampton route, and not to be liable to objection from the colonies employing the service via San Francisco. The same rates will also be charged upon correspondence sent by way of Singapore, and thence by the steamers under contract with the Queensland Government, the Premier of that <:olony, who is now in England, having agreed with Her Majesty's Government upon a division of postage which will enable this arrangement to be carried out. The new rates came into force on the Ist instant, and I have the honor to enclose copies of the notice issued by the General Post Office upon the subject. I have, &c., M. E. Hicks Beach. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 23. Mails for Australia, via Brindisi. Further Reduction of Postage. On the Ist of March next the following reduced rates of postage on correspondence for the Colony of Victoria, or for any other Australian colony, or for New Zealand, forwarded via Brindisi, will be substituted for those which came into operation on the Ist instant: Letters, 6d. per half-ounce; newspapers (not exceeding four ounces), Id. each; book-packets and patterns or samples Id., not exceeding one ounce; 2d., not exceeding two ounces; 4d., from two ounces to four ounces; and 4d.for every additional four ounces, —being the same rates as those charged on correspondence forwarded via San Francisco. By command of the Postmaster-General. General Post Office, 26th February, 1880.

By Authority : Geoegb Didsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBo. Price 9a.]