THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SEKVIGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1735, 14 December 1887, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SEKVIGE

Auckland, December 13 Mr J. 0. Firth has received a letter from Mr K. J. Cretghton, rf Honolulu, with tefereiice to the San Francisco mail •eivlce. la the coarse of his remsrkß, Mr Orelghton says :— " From what I read In the New Zoaland papers, I fear that the 'Frisco service will be attacked m the General Assembly. I think it would be a* mistake to interfere with it or impair it m any way. Mr J. D. Sprecklea recently spent a month here, and from him I learned the intention of the Company, He had started from San Frnccisco with the Intention of going througft to Auckland, end Sydney, visiting other ports of the colony of coarse, bat receiving letters here to the effect that nothing would be do£e regarding; the service this year, and Ire conoluded to return to the coast, where bis presence was almost Imperatively required m the management and direction of a new enterprise with which his firm are identified. Should the Oceanic Company get the mail contract for long, say eeren years, it would build three new steamships for the line, 'cqusl In speed an 4 equipment to the best P. and O. steamer, '&nd would spend money In developing colonial trade. If a short ferm were decided upon, it would be Impossible to go to euch a large outlay, or tfther business prudence would forbid it, «nd the existing service ia probably the very best that could be expected or secured. For various reasons it would be best for the colony to make a long contract It would ensure a better and faster serylqa, and would enaare the eteady development pi trade, prv-lding a new opening for colonial products. A three-years' contract la a hand to mouth affair at the best, when the length of the voyage and the responsibility of the contractors are considered. I kuow that seme people think and argue that Qqbsidiea cen be Clone without, but the experience o( the commercial world is agalnßt such a conclusion. 3!me is a great faotor m thii caie, and fast time can only be had by paying special rates for it, whether transportation is by land or sea. The Union and Central Pacific have anticipated the Santa Fe line, and arranged foi • five and e-half days' service between San Franctsoo and New York, to oora« Into effect very soon — that is, when the necessary arrangements have been per feoted by the traffia department^ of thi various companies. Wpuld it not bi advisable, under the circumstances, tc consider the matter, and take early actioi upon it? If promptly taken up, arc the contract guaranteed, everything coulc be m wo* king by time the new arrange ment would come into effect. Th colony would not lose anything, becjUß the Bervie.3 is now self-supporting, and i would yield a handsome revenue if th Hue indicated by me were followed Moreover, It would be a powerful lever i; applying to Oongreta for a modificatioi of the wool tariff m favor of tbo colonies. Mr Firth has forwarded the letter t Mr A. B. Nathan, President of th' Chamber of Commerce, and by direotio of the Counoil of the Chamber a copy hbee& forwarded (9 Major Atkinson,