5

same time it is advisable that Tenders should
be invited for it in order fairly to test the
question of expense by the various routes which
have been at different times proposed. For
the same reason you will perceive that the ad-
vertisement invites Tenders for any other route
which contractors might desire to take.

6. The route indicated in your letter would
   require three boats, none of which, however,
   would be fully employod: while, therefore, no
   one boat would be doing as much as it might,
   some inconvenience and expense would be in-
   curred by passengers, especially to and from
   the Southern Ports, from the necessity of
   changing from one boat to another, and of
   waiting for the arrival of that boat in which
   they were finally to proceed. In a smaller de-
   gree this objection would also apply to the
   transmission of letters.

7. As the Government, from the circum-
   stances that the decision as to one of the two
   services does not altogether rest with it, is
   precluded without further information from
   determining absolutely in this matter; and as
   it is most desirable that an efficient Steam Ser-
   vice for New Zealand should be secured at as
   early a period as possible; it does not desire
   that, unless unavoidably necessary, any further
   reference should be made to it here, but relies
   on your judgment, after a full consideration of
   all the circumstances, to effect that arrange-
   ment which may be the most advantageous to
   all parts of the colony. Should your departure
   from Australia occur before an arrangement can
   be effected, Dr. Campbell, who will remain
   at Sydney and Melbourne for some time, is
   authorised to act on behalf of this Government,
   either at the Congress of Delegates, or other-
   wise, as occasion may require.

8. The Government of Victoria has accord-
   ingly been informed that you, or in your ab-
   sence Dr. Campbell, will represent the New
   Zealand Government in this matter.

9. In concluding any contract it should be
   borne in mind, that with a view to any necessary
   modification of the terms, the contract should
   not be taken for a longer period than twelve
   months; nor must the cost of the Inter-Pro-
   vincial Service exceed the sum of £10,000,
   being the amount voted for that service.

10. It remains to observe that the Govern-
    ment of Victoria may possibly have been led to
    expect, or may for other reasons desire, that
    Melbourne should be the Port of arrival and
    departure for the New Zealand Branch Ser-
    vice; as this, for the reasons stated in paragraph
    4, would be disadvantageous to New Zealand, it
    must be insisted that Sydney is to be the Port.
    On this question, Tasmania and South Aus-
    tralia are likely to be neutral, (although as the
    Sydney route would be the cheapest they are
    interested in its favour); while New South
    Wales has a strong opposite interest to that of
    Victoria; little difficulty, therefore, is appre-
    hended on this point at the proposed Con-
    ference should it take place.

11. It is advisable that an advertisement for
    Tenders, either in the form transmitted, or in
    such other form as you may think best, be in-
    serted both in the Melbourne and Sydney
    papers as soon as you may be enabled to deter-
    mine what can be done as to the Branch Ser-
    vice; and the Government will expect the
    earliest information of any steps you may have
    taken, with a view, amongst other things, to
    the determination of the present contract with
    the "Zingari."

12. In the event of your not being able to
    conclude a contract before you leave for Eng-
    land, you will be good enough to deliver this
    letter to Dr. Campbell, who will put himself in
    communication with you on his arrival in
    Sydney.

I have, &c.,

(Signed) E. W. STAFFORD.

The Honble. Henry Sewell, Esq.,
Member of the Executive Council,
New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND STEAM MAIL
SERVICE.

TENDERS will be received by the New
Zealand Government until
from persons desirous of contracting to convey
the Mails by Steam Vessels between the un-
dermentioned Ports of New Zealand by the
following Routes, viz. :-

1st Route.

Manukau ............ to ............ New Plymouth
New Plymouth ........ to ............ Nelson
Nelson ............ to ............ Wellington
Wellington .......... to ............ Lyttelton
Lyttelton ........... to ............ Dunedin
Dunedin............. to ............ Lyttelton
Lyttelton ........... to ............ Wellington
Wellington .......... to ............ Nelson
Nelson .............. to ............ New Plymouth
New Plymouth ... to ............ Manukau

2nd Route.

Auckland ............ to ............ New Plymouth
New Plymouth ........ to ............ Nelson
Nelson .............. to ............ Wellington
Wellington .......... to ............ Lyttelton
Lyttelton ........... to ............ Dunedin
Dunedin ............. to ............ Lyttelton
Lyttelton ........... to ............ Wellington
Wellington .......... to ............ Nelson
Nelson .............. to ............ New Plymouth
New Plymouth ... to ............ Auckland

3rd Route.

Auckland ............ to ............ Wellington
Wellington .......... to ............ Nelson
Nelson .............. to ............ New Plymouth
New Plymouth ........ to ............ Nelson
Nelson .............. to ............ Wellington
Wellington .......... to ............ Lyttelton
Lyttelton ........... to ............ Dunedin
Dunedin ............. to ............ Lyttelton
Lyttelton ........... to ............ Wellington
Wellington .......... to ............ Nelson
Nelson .............. to ............ New Plymouth
New Plymouth ... to ............ Auckland