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Dunstan Times, Issue 418, 22 April 1870, Page 2

Tije San Francisco mail route has caused people in America and Europe to bestow more than ordinary attention upon thejcolonies of New Zealand and Australia, and now that we are brought within such easy distance of the great American continents perfect mine of wealth appears to have been discovered in the trans Pacific trade. The competition of steam-boat companies promises to become so keen and such first-class boats are to be laid on to this station, that there will be much difficulty in deciding upon whom we shall bestow our patronage. In London a project has been introduced for a railway and steam-boat route via Milford Haven, New York, and San Francisco. The. renowned Cunard line is also in the field, and one of their magnificent vessels is to be despatched in a few days. Messrs. Halloday and Brenham, the owners of the present line between Francisco and Honolulu, purpose sending their ships right through to Sydney at once, while Mr. W. H. Webb, one of the most wealthy shipbuilders in New York, proposes placing four magnifi cent steamers, of three thousand tons each, upon this line. (That any one of these lines will be sufficient for us there is but little room to doubt. The route via Suez will, as a matter of course, remain for a long time the favorite between the Southern and Western Australian Colonies and Europe. and is not likely to be eclipsed by that via California. • but, at the same time, it is desirable that the two routes should exist. Such a competition is desirable, both as a matter of public convenience and economy. Each will find plenty of support, and, with our growing requirements, may reasonably hope to extend their operations. An old saying has it that “ it never rains but it pours,” and such is thoroughly exemplified in this case. For years we have been striving for a mai j

line of steamers to connect ua, by way of the Great Pacific Ocean, with America, and, notwithstanding all our efforts and handsome subsidies, we have failed. Circumstances are now in our favor, and, instead of soliciting the assistance of others, they now seek ours. To the Hon. Julius Yogel tho colony is much indebted for bis happy mail contract via• San Francisco. We shall no longer bo considered as dwelling in tho most remote corner of the earth. The bonds of ciziliz-ition have been extended to us, and Wt are now brought into close contact with the nations of the earth. That our close acquaintance will be appreciated, and prove mutually advantageous to all parties, there is no reason to doubt.