Colonial Despatches

I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the 25th June, transmitting a copy of a Letter from the Treasury with copy of one from the Postmaster Generalcalling calling attention to the inconvenience and expense resulting from the transmission by Post of heavy Packages containing Printed Papers.

2. I find on enquiry that the observations of the Postmaster General would scarcely be applicable to the case of this Colony. I am informed that the heaviest weights of Printed matter havenot not exceeded Two Pounds. And the great length of time required for the transmission to England of Packages as freight would render it very inconvenient in most cases to adopt this mode of forwarding Papers of importance.

3. I may add that the remarks of the Postmaster General seem to be directed more especially to the case of Mails forwarded byRailway Railway to different Departments in England, where the facilities for obtaining modes of conveyance other than the Mail are far greater and more numerous than in a distant Colony.

4. I shall however take care to use the Book Post for the transmission of such heavy Papers as need not be enclosed in my Despatch Bag to Your Lordship.