THE SAN FRANCISCO ROUTE.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2262, 6 August 1870, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO ROUTE.

The following letter from Mr Collie has been received by the American Consul at Wellington : Sydney, 13th July, 1870. Dear Sir,— See Hall’s letter to Mr Vogel in the Southern Gross on the Ist instant. 1 contradict the statement that Mr Webb’s boats of 2000 tons were offered to Mr Hall or any of his accredited agents. Hall reached San Francisco on the sth, and left it again on the 19th May. The enclosed telegram will show you that Mr Webb was in New York on the 9th May, and my firm, who are alone his agents, made no such offer to Mr Hall. Mr Webb and my partner are aware that the A.S.N. Co. required the payment of the charter of their boats to Mr Hall t<t be guarantee I by the New Zealand Gove nment, a fact significant of want of confidence, and it is not likely that my friends would be less regardful of their interests. The monthly running expenses of Mr Webb’s boats is about L5,00D, and I will leave you to guess if Hall cou d charter them at a less sum than the pays the A.S. N. Co.

In 1866 I returned to England in the Atrato (paddle). She carried coal for 20 days, had considerable cargo, and steamed against a stiff gale, almost ahead, at a rate of 124 to 13 knots an hour, I give you the following extract from my part er’s letter to me, dated San Francisco, 10th May, 1870 :—enclose you atelegram from Mr Webb, and I can now assure you thae this bill will pass, and that his steamships will be placed upon the route. The Hawaiian Government will grant us the subsidy, but Webb will l nly start when everything is perfect.” The telegram refers to advertising one. of Mr Webb’s boats to start for Australia. Mr Webb has asked Congress for a sub. sidy of 500,000d015., or LIOO.OOO sterling. The bill is sure to pass, and Webb is sure to get the contract. In view of this 1 rge Ame» rican subsidy, f have now reduced my demand from all the Colonies to L 50,000, con. tingeut on fresh news expected by next mail, due the 15th instant. I have not seen the Chief Secretary since his return from the Conference, being engaged with his correspondence for the mail for England just about leaving. I am, yours truly, Geo. Collie, D. M'lutyre, Esq., Wellington. New York, 9lh Map, 1870, To J, B. M. StewartDecline advertising till Congress decides, Just start for Washington Webb,