The beginnings of the postal service in the Maritime provinces--Complaints of newspaper publishers--Reception given to imperial act to remedy colonial grievances. CHAPTER XI 193 Continuance of agitation in the Canadas for control of the post office--Much information obtained by committees of legislatures--Difficulty in giving effect to reforms. CHAPTER XII 212 Durham's report on the post office--Effects of rebellion of 1837 on the service--Ocean steamships to carry the mails--The Cunard contract--Reduction of Transatlantic postage. CHAPTER XIII 230 Diminution of powers of deputy postmaster general--Commission on post office appointed--Its report--Efforts to secure reduction of postal charges. CHAPTER XIV 243 Continuation of account of post office in Maritime provinces-- Departmental inquiry into conditions--Agitation for reduced postage. CHAPTER XV 263 Reversal of attitude of British government on post office control--Instructions to Lord Elgin--Provincial postal conference--Control of post office relinquished to colonies. CHAPTER XVI 273 Provincial administration of the post office--Reduced postage-- Railway mail service--Arrangements with United States. CHAPTER XVII 284 Canadian ocean mail service--Want of sympathy of British government therewith. CHAPTER XVIII 302 Canadian ocean mail service (_cont._)--Series of disasters to Allan line steamers. CHAPTER XIX 316 Postal service of Manitoba, the North-West Provinces and British Columbia--Summary of progress since Confederation. CHAPTER XX 333 The post office in Newfoundland. INDEX 347 PORTRAITS WILLIAM HENRY GRIFFIN, C.M.G. _To face page_ 273 WILLIAM WHITE, C.M.G. " 284 ROBERT MILLAR COULTER, M.D., C.M.G. " 326 HISTORY OF THE POST OFFICE IN BRITISH NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER I Beginnings of postal service in former American colonies.