§ MR. SAMPSON LLOYDasked the Postmaster General, Whether (inasmuch as forty-one to forty-two days are usually occupied in the transmission of letters to Melbourne by the means of conveyance adopted by the Post Office, while 754 private Steam vessels have been known to perform the voyage in thirty-seven days) he can inform the House whether any and what steps are being taken to accelerate that mail service, in accordance with the prayer of various Memorials which have been addressed to the Department?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSSir, when the new Contract between the Imperial Government and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company and the new Contract concluded between the Government of Victoria and the same Company take effect, on the 1st of February next, there will be an acceleration of the mail service from England to Melbourne to the extent of fully five days. The time to be occupied between London and Point de Galle will be a little over 20 days, and the time to be occupied between Point de Galle and Melbourne will be 19 days, or in all 39 days.