PROPOSED NEW MAIL SERVICE.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2162, 11 April 1870, Page 2

PROPOSED NEW MAIL SERVICE.

(From the Southern Cross.) That the important enterprise of communication by steam between San Francisco and New Zealand has not been lost sight of by the mercantile men of America, will be apparent from the fact that there is now in Auckland a gentleman of high commercial standing in San Francisco, as an agent on behalf of a wealthy steamboat proprietor, who is prepared to establish and maintain such a line, if sufficient inducements offer. We refer to Mr Collie, of the firm of Collie, Stewart, and Co., San Francisco, who represents, in this matter, Mr William H. Webb, of New York, one of the wealthiest shipowners in the Eastern States. The following circular has been issued by Mr Collie's firm : “ 't he San Francisco and Australian Steamship Line, calling at Honolulu, New Caledonia, Queensland, Sydney, and Melbourne, connecting with a branch steamer for Auckland, New Zealand. The completion of the rai’road across this continent awakens additional interest in establishing a first-class line of powerful ocean steamships between this port and Australia, and the route through the tropical islands of Polynesia seems the most desirable for a high rate of speed and comfort to passengers. “W. H. Webb, Esq., of 54, Exchange Place, New York, has tbps day empowered Mr George Collie, of our firm, to negotiate with the Governments indicated on the route on his behalf for contracts with subsidies for a regular monthly mail to be performed by the following magnificent sidewheel steamships owned by him: — “Nebraska—Al at Lloyd's. 2,143 tons register, 3,000 tons builders’ measurement; 850-horse power ; 28fi feet long, and 41 feet beam; built in May, 1867, and averaged 154 knots on her trial trip. “Nevada—Al. 2,145 tons register : 83inch cylinder; 12-feet stroke ; 284 feet on main deck, and lie; nsed to carry 838 passenr gers: average speed on trial trip, 15 knots, and built in December, 1867. “Dacotah—Al at Lloyd’s. 2,150 tons register ; 28! feet long, and 41 feet beam ; 83-inch cylinder, and 12-fect stroke ; licensed to carry 720 passengers. “ Santiago"de Cuba —1,62? tons ; 560; horse power; 237 feet long; 38 feet beam ; built in 1861, and rebuilt in 1867. “These boats are unequalled for speed, passenger accommodation, comfort and safety ; originally built for the North American Steamship Company, regardless of cost,' “ Collie, Stewart, and Co.

“ San Francisco, January 26, 1870.”

Of course, Ihe route as projected in this circular is out of the question. In the first place, it would not be possible for a large steamer to navigate, with safety, amongst the coral reefs and islands which lie in the direct line between Honolulu and New Caledonia. In the next place, there would not be sufficient trade to warrant such a class of steamers touching at New Caledonia; and thirdly, the set of the ocean currents would render this route nearly as tedious as it is d angerpus. But were such a line started, New Zealand could de:ivo-no direct benefit from it, and we should not be expected tp contribute anything towards the cost. How ever, we are glad to find, from Mr Collie, that the mute would altogether depend upon the amount of support received from the respective Governments of the Colonies interested. Now, it is quite evident that Auck'and must be the port of arrival and departure in New Zealand—the first port touched at between Honolulu and Sydney, and the port of final departure on the return voyage—-to reap the full commercial advaut tages which direct steam communication with the United States would confer upon the Colony. To such a sendee, we are certain the General Assembly would contribute. With regard to the project which Mr Collie has in hand, it does not come before us in such a shape that we cau do no more than speak of it in general terms. Mr Webb, we understand has applied to Congress for a subsidy ; and as he is in possession of a fleet of suitable steamers, which cau find no profitable employment on the American coast, owing to the opening of the Pacific Railway, and as the policy of the United States is to encourage its national trade, we have reason to suppose that his application will be successful. There is, how-ever, this difficulty in the way, that Mr Hall has forestalled him; and so long as the terms of the contract with the New Zealand Government are scrupulously observed, there can be no reason whatever for encouraging opposition. It is satisfactory, however, to know that the importance of the Australasian trade is fully recognised by the Californian merchants j and it is just possible that, as British shipping have nearly monopolised the carrying trade of the Eastern States, to the exclusion of American bottoms, the Americans may take possession of the Australasian trade. In any event, this colony must be the gainer. The more frequent and certain the means of intercourse between this colony and the Pacific States of America, the better will it be for our trade. New Zealand must always profit by steamboat competition of tins kind,