'FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1900, 24 July 1888, Page 2

'FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

The San Francisco Mail Service seems more and more likely to be a thing of the past after this session of Parliament. It is generally conceded that the question of tho renewal of the contract will be discussed before the House rises, and there will be a majority 1 against the expense of continuing it. The special correspondent of the '• Otago Daily Times " at Wellington is of this opinion and he says concerning it : — From all I oan learn regarding the above service, I am inclined to think that its abolition will be decided upon this session. A man m authority among the Opposition members assures mo that noses have been counted, and a clear majority of five or six can he reckoned on against a continuance of the service. The same gentleman informs me that a Dumber of Otago and Canterbury representatives have got " their backs up " at the conduct of a numerically insignificant section of Northern members who bavo arrogated to themselves the right ot suggesting economical reforms m every department of the State. The said gentlemen mostly hail from the Auckland provincial district, and the manner m which they are continually harping upon the desirability of cutting everything down appears pettyfogging to those who believe m reasonable retrenchment, but conderap the penny-wise and pound-foolish system. "As these gentlemen," observed my informant, <r are so anxious for economy, we are determined to put theirj ejpperity to the test when the question of the San Francisco service comes up for discussion." Whether the forecast turns out correct or otherwise, it is pretty certain that there will be a very warm discussion on the subject.