Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been directed to the proposed extension of the mail service from South Africa to Mombasa, East Africa, by the Donald Currie and Union Castle Mail Steam Ship Companies, and if he will ascertain on what terms the said companies would continue the service home by the Suez Canal, with a monthly return service, so as to give East Africa and Great Britain the benefits of a direct service and convenient interchange?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONMy attention has been directed to the proposal of the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company to extend the voyages of their intermediate (not mail) steamers to Mombasa once every four weeks. It is not probable that the relatively small remuneration that I could offer on postal grounds would be sufficient to induce the company to undertake the proposed service; but I am communicating with them on the subject.