53. Tables B and C also afford the following averages as to the time allowed the Contract Packet, to and from Loudon, and the time actually occupied by them.
French Packets, Honeward,
British Packets, Outward,
French Packets, Outward,
British Packets, Ilomeward,.
Average voyage allowed.
412 days,.
.40
41
77
.42
19
Average voyage, taken.
.39 days. .391"
41
**
.41
11
54. To the returns as to the American Packets (Appendix B and C) has been added a statement of the time occupied in transmitting mails to and from London by their means.
The quickest delivery in London was in 45 days, the latest in 56 days. One mail reached Hongkong by this rom in 44 days from London, but another actually occupied eighty-seven days. The cause of the delay is, presumably, waiting in San Francisco for a stemner, which does not occur in the opposite direction. The average time from London has been 57-654 days, the longer period being for the. mails mad up by the London Office some time before a steamer was ready to take them, the shorter for thos which were timed more happily. A calculation from the dates of posting would probably give a few days more.
55. The sixpenny rate from London by this route appears somewhat delusive when these long delays are taken into account. Those who wish to post for sixpence had far better avail themselves of Messrs. HOLT's vessels, which are not nearly so much used for cheap postage as they might l.... The passages home by this line are generally very good, the passages out perhaps not quite so quick, but they would probably not average more than 50 days.
56. The Contract Steamers to Australia viâ Torres Straits have been somewhat irregular in their arrivals and departures, but they form a very important incans of communication with th Australasian Colonies, and doubtless as the service gains permanency it will increase in regularity.
57. An apology is due for the length and prolixity of this Report. It cannot be better expresse l than in the words of the great founder of the Penny Pest; "Some pains should be taken to make the main features of the Post Oflice system intelligible."
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
&C.,
Colonial Secretary, &c.,
&c.
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
ALFRED LISTER,
Postmaster Genovel.
APPENDIX.
(A.) GENERAL RETURN OF POST OFFICE BUSINESS.
SENT.
RECEIVED.
1874.
1875.
INCREASE.
DECREASE
1874.
-1
1875.
INCREASE. DechEast-
Books and Letters
J'apers.
Books
Books Letters And Letters and
Герега
Papers.
Letters
Books
| Books. Letter and
and Papers.
Papers.
Books
and Lettern Letters
l'apers.
No No
No No 13,350 record record record record
Books
[Papers;
Letters
:
UNITED KINGDOM.
P'er French Packets,...
Per British Packets,................. 133,018 112,176| 135.525 98,787 2,507
63,090 25,848 62,879 | 27,335
1,487
711
B
n
H
11
1
UNITED STATES.†
Per United States Packets, -
28,224
37,626 31,670 42,414 3,446 4,788
17,972
19.970
+
T
1,998
H
United Kingdom,
Continent,
Rikoistered CORRESPONDENCE
Australia, ungphzokuserekend
4,240
491
4,178 C22
102
1.973
2,451
128
690.
1931.
481 214
117
לא
20
220.
30:
7G
申曲
Ports of China and Japan,
821
783
36
777
1,100
326
+++
Straits,
202
A
Ceylon,
ROMANALOT+
lodia,
456
149 15 478
53
1,1551
...
1,06%
N
14
43
400
G
---
***
13
605,
44
37
ATTENTACLETANTIAL DUTTAA
Total, Registered Correspondence,
Total, do, Increase or Decrease,
6,429
6,309
128
248
5,372;
0,390)
1,133
149
120
981
Inermuse
Ship Mails....................................
1,357
1,671
2:4 Increase.
1,416
1,710
264 Increase.
•
Registered Papers, Books, and Patterns, not being namerons, are micluded under Registered Letters, ↑ Including a very small Mail for Yokohana by cach U. S. l'arket-
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