The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1882.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 620, 23 June 1882, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1882.

THE SOUTHERN GRAIN TRADE AND AKAROA. The question of the opening up of the lia-b * by the railway is of course one of the most vital conse iiieiice to all residents, and it has very fully discussed time after time in these columns Many people doubt, and with much reason, whether there would be much grain sent this way at present, even if the line was open as it would only he the nearest route for a few grain growers on the lake. Mr Gebbie, however, spoke of a loop line from Lincoln across to Biinilmm, and if so we should be in a better position ; but no doubt a line carried along the Kaitorere suit to Tamutu will eventually be made, and will tap a vast extent of- th"';, best corn land in the province. ,' At present,'-however, we must look at our harbor in anotlh-r light. As yet it is unapproachable'by bind, but it is easy of access by sea; and could it, not be utilised as a port for large vessels, which could take away produce to England that had been collected by small craft and steamers from the peri ous open roadsteads of the East Coast ? Looking at the map, we that Akaroa Harbor points southward, as if it were inviting vessels from that direction to. m dee it their resting place. There is no break in th • coast, except tiny indentati ns at Timaru, Oamaru, and a few other places, b-tween Akaroa aud Port Chalmers, and we are the nearest and natural harbor for all the coast b twei-n Waitangi and the Peninsula. Years ago. Captain Peter Logan, nanager of the Albion Company's line, Jame to the conclusion that something night be done in the way of making Akaroa a receiving harbor for Timaru md other places along the coast, and lie Taiaroa steamer was built for that cry purpose ; but the Union Steamship Company purchased her, tho Albion Jompany ceased to carry on such a i go trade to this Colon., and the latter dropped. It must be recollected that at that nuj there was not nearly the same inurement there is now for such a scheme ling carried out. Whfre one bushel of rain was then grown near Timaru and Song the coast, there are now thousands, h' idea of a pier at the mouth of tiie sliburton lias been mooted, and boats peculiar construction have been made r use on the coasr, nt Kyle, in the sliburton County. Some part of the am near the coast is a long way from c railway, and it is quite possible a i.-me- migufc Ik; devised by which some J it might be brought by sea to Akaroa, there w.'i-e vessels leading here. >art, ho.»-e»-er, from anything of this •t, tho enormous quantity of grain >wn in South Canterbury that accu-

inula es in Timaru, would yearly load many ships. \'»'o argue it would not only bo snf r, hut chcipe.r, to load ships with the produce of Sooth Canterbury at Akaloa, than at Tim.iru itself. In tho lh'-t place, of eomse. ihe insurance WOuk 1 be eonu'h'mbly f-ss, hut that is not j\\l The giaui would certainly be loaded ut Titnnru by stea-rids ji.ul small yes-els, that could lie with safety at the Bivakwafcer, and would be discharged dneet into the shins ia Akaioa, so that the Heavy lightera-e dv-„ oi' 8-* per to-i now cha.-ged at Tiuni-a would be saveu. Ai>aiu, th re a,e no luuboc dues at Akaroa, a very considerable item indeed. It is also a be tier point of dopa-une h>vessels homeward bound. Except in south-east weather, it is easy, to get clear of the Leads; and once outside, ships u re clear of '.ho Laid. It js v very common thing for vessels, a.ter leaving Lyttelton, to be two or tUceo days lounding the Peuiusuia ; and we have heard one nautical man say that he consideied that the difference between starting from Lyttelt m and sta- Ung f.om Altai on for bmglaud would average two days, a considerable matter where large ships are concerned. Of course it may be aigued that ooce wheat is loaded in a steamer, it may just as well be taken all the way to Lyttelton, where the excellent appliances for saving time will move than make up for the difference ; but any one corefully comparing makers will see this is a mistake. The steamers bringing the cargo could easily be employed to act as tugs, if requiicu, and »,hu harbor is so tr rve'loualy sa'e, aid free from sunken rocks and other daubers, that pilots w II not he requhed. That the I'vue may come when, with •i sufficiently extended Bieakwater, large ships may lie safely at Timam, is possible, ut fur some ye.-.ii to come the gran will probably be taken away by smaller vessels for tv .usshipmeiu, and the shipowner who tiies the experiment of loading at Akaioa will doubtless be well reoaid for his enterprise. It is the natuial harbor for the coast to the southward, aud the saving of eight or fen boms' steaming, the additional time required to go and return from Lyltelton, th.; absence of harbor dues and lighterage fees, the d iffe fence (from Timaru) respecting insuiauce, all point to the fact tint a vessel can be loaded in Akaroa with South Canterbury grain cheaper than either at Timaru or Lyttelton. We sincerely hope that the coming grain season will see the experiment tried.