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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3550, 24 November 1882, Page 2

The time is rapidly approaching when this colony will be in direct steam Communication with England. Not many weeks ago a cablegram informed us that Messrs Shaw, Saville and 00. had amalgamated wish tbe Albion Steam Shipping Company. When it is considered that both these companies are largely interested in the Union Stenm Ship Com- ' pany we may be pretty sure that the amalgamation signifies a line of steamers from New Zealand to England. Shaw, Saville and Co's long connection with and large interests in this colony compel " keeping pace with the times," and this can only be done by the employment of steamers. Their amalgamation then with the Albion Company supplies them with the class of vessel they require, while both companies, being already the largest proprietors in the Union Steam Ship Company, have at their hands the means of connecting the whole colony with the port or ports they may select a 9 their head-quarters. Not to be behind hand in the " race for places " the New Zealand Shipping Company are about to add steamers to their magnificent fleet of veßsels, and the competition that will arise between the two companies must result in tho colony being well served. Whether the colony is old enough—that is to say populous and industrious enough —to support one direct steam service, to mention nothing of two services, is not for us to say. The meat export trade is likely to develop itself into very large proportions, and in view of this the establishment of direct steam services is perhaps but the taking of " time by the forelock."