§ MR. BAXTERasked the Postmaster General, If in making new contracts for the conveyance of Oceanic Mails he will consider the desirability of selecting for the service the fastest steamers of various Companies, instead of as has heretofore been the practice entering into engagements with one or more Companies which permit them to send the Mails by boats much slower than others in the same trade?
§ MR. FAWCETTI can assure my right hon. Friend that the desirability of obtaining the quickest possible conveyance of the mails will be carefully borne in mind in entering into any new contracts. It is, however, well to observe that, besides speed, it is very important to secure as much regularity as possible both in the arrival and departure of mails; and, therefore, the efficiency of a service is not so much to be estimated by the exceptionally fast voyages vessels 1206 on a particular line may make, as by the average of speed and regularity combined.