9

the proposed conference of delegates
from the respective Colonies interested.

These gentlemen have also been em-
powered to invite and accept tenders on
the part of this Government both for
the branch service and the inter-provin-
cial service.

I have, &c.,
W. GISBORNE,
Under Secretary.

The Honorable
The Chief Secretary,
Melbourne.

Sydney, Nov. 4th, 1856.

SIR,—On my arrival at this place I
communicated with the Colonial Secre-
tary on the subject of the steam postal
service. I found that no steps had been
taken towards providing for the branch
service to New Zealand. In order to
move the question I left with the
Colonial Secretary a memorandum of
which I transmit a copy, but to which
I have not as yet received any reply.
At a subsequent interview with His
Excellency the Governor, I understood
that the matter would be immediately
taken into consideration.

In order to lose no time I put my-
self into communication with the
owners of the William Denny, (through
Captain Mailler) and also with the
Australian Steam Packet Company,
and I learnt from them that they are
desirous of undertaking the service.
It will, however, be impossible to fix
definite terms until the contracts for
the branch service in connection with
the main line shall have been decided.

I have indicated my individual pre-
ference for the following plan, which I
recommend for the consideration of the
New Zealand Government.

Two steamers to work the branch
service in connection with the main
line—to and from Sydney—one to
take the mails monthly from Syd-
ney to Auckland via the North
Cape, thence to Wellington, and
thence touching for a few hours wea-
ther permitting at New Plymouth—
the other taking the converse route
fortnightly i. e., touching at New Ply-
mouth, thence to Wellington, thence to
Auckland and to return to Sydney via
the North Cape. In addition to the
above a small steamer of superior
quality to the Zingari, to work
between Nelson, Wellington, Canter-
bury and Otago, monthly, staying at
each port a moderate time for passen-
gers and cargo, and arranging so that
the arrival at Wellington may be in
time to meet the homeward mail
steamer. If the William Denny and
the Company would unite, the service
might be efficiently done. The William
Denny and the Wonga Wonga (a vessel
of greater power than the Denny)
would do the service from Sydney,
and the Bomerang, a small but power-
ful vessel would perform the service
for the southern settlements.

The cost of this would probably be
about £15,000 or £16,000. Of this I
suppose the general contract would pro-
vide about £6000, leaving the residue
to be borne by the colony. In my
opinion if such a service were esta-
blished Auckland or Wellington, which
would receive a greater share of benefit
than the other Provinces, should con-
tribute in an increased proportion, say
Auckland £2000 a year, and Welling-
ton £1500 a year.

The result would be a perfectly effi-
cient service monthly, and partly fort-
nightly, with direct access to the main
line from all the Provinces, as well as
communication between the Provinces
themselves.

I think it would be better to regu-
late such a service by fixed days of ar-
rival and departure in preference to
making it dependent on the accidental
arrival of English mails as proposed by
the Melbourne Government.

It is improbable that anything will
be done before the next departure from
Auckland of the William Denny, and I
shall be obliged by your favouring me
with the views and instructions of the
Government in New Zealand, which I
will endeavour as far as lies in my
power to effectuate.

I have, &c.
HENRY SEWELL.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
Auckland.