OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 31, 6 February 1905, Page 3

OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

(From Our Canadian Correspondent-7 - VANCOUVER (8.C.), January 6. A PROBCSS2} CARGO LDfE. A line of cargo steamers' is to be established between New Zealand and Vinco-UTFer. This important news has come out as the of a newspaper controversy between a New Zealander and an Australian. Th. de Sehryver, of Auckland, New Zealand, wko came to Canada recently on a commercial misaion, has been getting alter the scalp of "F/W.," the Sydney (N-S-W.) coTTespondent of "the "Toronto Monetary Times." It seems that the New Zealander does not think the Canadian.Anstraiian line as good for his country's purpose as the line from Auckland to San. Francisco. The Sydney man resented some of tire >few Zea.feuwier's utterances in this connection, and the latter, in replying to an accusation of Slandering" the Canadian - Australian steamship line, let the cargo line fact oat of the bag , . Saki he:

4i l have no reason to say anything unpleasant with, regard to tite CanadianAnstralian Steamship Company. The company hav-e always treated mc fairly, and my four trips across in their ships hare always been very pleasant. Tie treatment on board was all thai I could desire, and. if not pressed fox time, 1 shall always make use of this line by preference. But all this cannot oiecuxe the fact that the San Francisco service is, with regard to speed, the mc;Ve suitable for New Zc*-aki_nd_ I wish, it were otherwise, but as long as the CanadianAustralian Steamship Company does not call at a New Zealand port and. does not put faster steamers on the route she cannot expect to eater successfully for the New Zealand passenger traffic"

Having thus forcibly spoken as a New Zealander in favour of San Francisco rather than Vancouver under present conditions, Mr de Sehryrer comes to the crux ot the matter in strongly objecting to "F.W." calling his scheme for a direct line to Vancouver from Auckland ■"visianarv." He remarks:

""W hat is wanted, and what I have all along advocated, is a cargo line of steamers from Vancouver to New Zealand direct; and this line, far from being "visionary." may be sooner in operation than your correspondent seems to expect. Sui'h a line has to be established if ever Canada will derive the benefit of the New Zealand preferential tariff. The matter has the fullest attention in interested circles, not only on the L'nited States' side, and "F.W. may one day bp surprised to hear thart a well-known New Zealand shipping company has materialised mv •vision.' "F.W.. , who apparently takes an interest in matters Canadian-Australian, ought to be more careful in future, and investigate before speaking about •slandering' and "visions." " Of course, the public here is not concerned in the quarrel between the New Zealander and the Australian, but it is interested in the announcement that a well-known New Zealand shippinsr firm contemplates putting on a line of eanro steamers to this port.

AX ACCIDENT TO THE AORANGI

Once again, it has been the misfortune of the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand to have one of its steamers meet with an accident in British Columbia waters. The CanadianAustralian liner Aorangi was crashed into by the big steam collier Edith during one* of the wind storms which made the end of last year memorable on this coast. The accident took place while the Aorangi lay at the coal bunkers at Union, Vancouver Island. There was a heavy wind blowing at the time, and the Edith was trying to make a landing. When just otf the Aorangi's position the steam collier was caught by the wind and current and sheered over to the liner. The master of the Edith made every effort to retain control of his craft, but despite all he could do siie was carried forward, and her nosa ploughed right into the Aorangi's bows. The jib-bocm and heaiigetLr of the liner were first carried away," and then the dainty figurehead, bearing the emblerc of the house flag of the Cnion Steamship Company, was knocked into small pieces. Fortunately, before any further damage could be done, the Edith was urot uader control, and sue was backed off. The shock of the collision was not by any means great, as the blow was a glancing ore; nevertheless, there was quite a commotion on both steamers at the time. The necessary repairs were made here, casting about £250, aud, of course, the owners of the Edith footed the bill.

The new figurehead of the Aorangi, hewn and carved from, a solid piece of British Columbia cedar is a credit to the local yards which had to turn out the work in a hurry, and which have not had much experience in the figurehead line. It represents a lady of uncertain age, clasping a nice, gentle wooden dove to an ample breast. The da.maged tubular steel bowsprit was on!} put into position an hour or so before the liner cast off from tile dock.

WOOL SHIPMENTS VIA CANADA.

It is regrettable to find that Canadian produce to the extent of less than 1000 tons is being carried by the Aorangi this trip. The Australians are doing better than the people on this side in supplying An interesting fact in connection with the inward voyage or the steamer was that she brought over 3000 bales of wool consigned to Boston. This was the largest- wool cargo ever landed in this port, and shows tnat the Canadian - Australian Steamship Company is meeting success in an attempt to divert traffic to its line. Hitherto shippers have been content to forward their wool to Boston either by direct steamer or via London. The shipment this way is a radical departure from prevailing methods. A heavy cargo is due per the Miowera, and the lloaua is expected to bring a large number of bales. It is a good sign that Australian shippers are beginning to see that wool for Boston can be landed as ebeaply and expeditioualy via Vancouver as by way of London.

A fifteen-feet open boat was found iloating between Motmbi and Howick about a week ago. The boat is painted white inside and outside, and may be seen at the Maori settlement Ptrtiki Bay, Waiheke. There were no rowlocks in the boat, which bears no name. Sir Joseph Ward, replying to the members of the Utility Poultry Chib, Christehurch, who asked for a concession for an egg-laying competition, expressed pleasure at the steps being taken to foster the new industry. He would see what railway concessions eonld be given for birds travelling to and from competitions, and would at once autaorise the conveyance of materials on terms similar to those obtained for the railage of exhibition pens to poxdtry shows.