Mr. King gives an extract from one of the Reports, which authorizes the bisection of the Three Pence to allow the prepayment of the 7½d. rate to England; but the Report states distinctly the Three Penny stamp was alone to be used for that purpose. As in the case of New Brunswick, both the Six Pence and One Shilling are found bisected. The Nova Scotia varieties are probably due to the same causes as those I have given for the former Colony. The following particulars found in the Report of the Postmaster-General of Great Britain, published in 1857, will give us the early postal rates of Nova Scotia: “In 1842, ’51, ’53, ’54, and ’56 measures were successively adopted for the establishment of a low rate of postage. On Letters not exceeding ½ oz. 3d. Above ½ oz. and not exceeding 1 oz. 6d. Above 1 oz. and not exceeding 1½ oz. 9d. And so on in proportion. “Letters posted and delivered in the same town are charged 1d. only per ½ oz. “Newspapers are conveyed free. “On printed Circulars, Prices Current, Handbills, &c., the postage is 1d. per oz. “Books, &c., are allowed to pass free of charge when not exceeding 2 ozs. in weight; but above that weight, and up to 48 ozs. (to which weight the Book privilege is limited), the postage is ½d. per oz.” The rates to England on May 1st, 1856, were— Not above ½ oz. “direct” 7½d. Ditto, by United States and British Packet 10d. Ditto, by United States Packet 1s 5½d. The present Inspector of Post-offices is Mr. C. J. Macdonald, and the Postmaster at Halifax Mr. H. W. Blackader. The stamps of this Colony became obsolete on May 27th, 1867, the date of the formation of the Dominion of Canada. Before giving a detailed list of the stamps of Nova Scotia, the Society thinks it would be advisable to reproduce here the excellent articles upon the stamps of this Colony from the pen of Mr. Donald A. King, which were published in _The Halifax Philatelist_ for December, 1887, January and December, 1888. Most of the information Mr. King gives is entirely new to collectors, and he traces back the date of the first issue from 1857, the year it has previously been put down at in the catalogues, to September 1st, 1851. “ISSUING OF THE FIRST POSTAGE STAMPS IN NOVA SCOTIA. “In looking over any of the standard stamp catalogues, the reader will see that the date for the issue of postage stamps in Nova Scotia is 1857, and New Brunswick in 1851. It always seemed to me as very peculiar, considering the nearness of the two countries and the resemblance in their Governments, that Nova Scotia should be so long behind New Brunswick in issuing stamps. “I determined to turn the matter up on the first possible occasion, and see if the dates were in reality correct.