The Evening Star TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3251, 22 July 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1873.

“ Those succeed best who help themselves” is an old proverb, very much lost sight of in these Australasian Colonies ; but we are glad to find that its force is becoming recognised. For years past our merchants have been complaining of competition with Victoria, and grumbling about the difference between the rates of freight from England between Melbourne and Dunedin ; but have not been able to devise any scheme whereby they could overcome the difficulty. The advantage on the side of Melbourne seemed to be that the trade of the Colony centred in that port, while that of New Zealand was spread over a line of coast extending some 500 miles; and shipping firms at Home were unwilling to recognise merely Provincial centres. Some twelve months ago Messrs Prosser and Scoular made an effort to get up a Shipping Company exclusively Otagan. For reasons that ne;d not be stated, it was not supported; but the idea was struck out, was taken up at Christchurch, and has resulted in a Colonial scheme which, well worked,fcannot fail of success. Some notion may be formed of the difficulty when we state that although some thirty-nine large importers agreed to guarantee to a line of vessels to Dunedin 1,000 tons per month, the Albion and other trading lines would not entertain the subject. The company’s capital is £250,000 in 25,000 shares of £lO each, of which over 9,000 have been taken up in Christchurch, a fair proportion in Auckland and other places, and about 4,500 in Otago. Altogether 22,911 have been applied for, leaving only 2,089 to be taken up; and as the different Ports are to have their own agents, and to be represented on the Board of Advice in proportion to the number of shares held, although Dunedin has allowed the lead to be taken by Christchurch, we think the advantage will be seen ot the remainder being taken up here, in order that the leading port in New Zealand may be properly represented. The importance of the movement has been recognised by the General Government; ancU from the copy of the “Articles of Agreement” with the New Zealand Shipping Company, laid upon the table of the House of Representatives, we learn that the Government agree that all Government immigrants and cargo shall be forwarded by the ships of the company, excepting that contracts already in force with other parties shall be carried out, and excepting also contracts for the conveyance of immigrants from the Clyde and contracts with the New Zealand Freight Co. The following rates are to be paid for the carriage of cargo : Dead weight, at the rate of 25s per ton ; measurement, at the rate of 40s to 45s per ton, according to description of goods and packages ; such rates to be finally settled before shipment; special cargo to be paid for at such special rates as may be agreed upon in London, between the Agent-General and the company’s agent there, before shipment. The above rates for carnage of cargo to be applicable in cases where the cargo is carried to the ports of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers ; provided that where cargo shall be carried for other ports in the Colony than those above mentioned, the same shall be delivered by the company at such ports at an additional rate to those above mentioned of 15s per ton. Upon all cargo rates, whether special or otherwise, primage at the rate of five per cent, is to be allowed. The price of passage to the principal ports, including the expense of landing the passengers and their luggage, is fixed at £l4 10s for each passenger of the age of twelve years or upwards ; and half that sum for each child of the age of one year and under twelve years : no charge being made in respect of children under one year; but there is provision for extra payment for direct shipments to Tauranga and Napier.