STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH ENGLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3186, 7 May 1873, Page 3

STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH ENGLAND.

The following letters from the Superinteadent to the Home Agent appear in the correspondence laid on the Council table yesterday:— Dunedin, Nov. 21,1872. _ Referring to my letter of yesterday’s date, in reference to immigration, I omitted to direct your attention to the importance of endeavoring to arrange for the establishment of a steam line to Port Chalmers direct, via the Cape of Good Hope. Some two or three years ago, Messrs P. Henderson and Co. were disposed to entertain the question of building steamers suitable for this trade, capable of carrying 800 passengers and of making the voyage in 45 days. One great drawback at that time to the success of such an undertaking was the want of facilities in the Colony for cleaning the ships’ bottoms. The completion of the graving dock removes that obstacle; and although the increased price of iron, should it be maintained, will, no doubt, add considerably to the cost of the ships, as compared with what it might have been two years ago, still I am persuaded such a line will pay. Nothing but steam is likely to divert towards New Zealand any portion of the stream of immigrationiwhich is crossing the Atlantic, and with vessel* of the capacity above indicated people could be brought here quite as cheaply as by sailing vessels. There can be no doubt also that the shortening of the voyage would lead to thousands of capitalists ami employers of labor visiting and settling in New Zealand. The large and increasing exports would secure good freights Home without detention. Probably this year the Provinces of Canterbury and Otago will despatch, fully laden, for the United Kingdom, some thirty sailing ships of large tonnage I shall be glad if you will place yourself in communication with Mr Galbraith on this subject. I believe that the Governmentassisted emigrants who would be sent by steam would, even at present rates, constitute a sufficient subsidy to render the proposed line asuccess. I need only add that, in so far as the Provincial Government of Otago is concerned, such an undertaking will receive every support, and there can be little doubt that it will meet with similar encouragement at the hands of the Colonial Government March 17, 1872. Referring to my letter of date as per margin [the one above] relative to the establishment of a steam lino via Cape of Good Hope, I have now to enclose herewith for your information copy of a letter addressed by me to the Colonial Government on the subject in question. By telegram just received from Wellington, I am infoimed that the Cabinet has approved of ray suggestions, and that the Agent-General has been instructed accordingly. I trust, therefore, thnt there will be little difficulty in arranging matters, so that a _ monthly steam line may be established at no distant date. Of course, I do not anticipate more than a threemonthly service at the outset. At the same time I feel assured that were this limited service only fairly started the remunerative requirements of the trade will very soon demand a monthly service. There can be no doubt that the trade of New Zealand, largo as it is in proportion to the extent and population of the Colony, is hut in embryo as yet, and I know of nothing which will accelerate its development more than regular and speedy steam communication with the Mother Country. Mr Auld, writing on January 22, says from previous conversations with Mr Galbraith on the subject, he thinks that gentleman will insist oi\ a guarantee being given to him by the Province.