THE CALIFORNIAN SERVICE.

Evening Star, Issue 3330, 22 October 1873, Page 3

THE CALIFORNIAN SERVICE.

(By Trlkorapii.) AI’CKIiAND, Octolier 22. The Threbe arrived at Auckland last night, from Sydney, after a passage of four days twenty hours. , a The following telegram respecting the San Francisco mail service was tabled m the Legislativo Council:—“ Telegram from the Hon. Saul Samuel to the Colonial Secretary, Sydney. - -London, October 11.—I hare had great difficulty. Mr Russell and self have only just got preliminary agreements signed for both services. The permanent service stands as advised by telegram on the 27th of August; except that fresh and good men are now associated with Mr Hall, who gives sureties to the amount of L 55,000. The temporary service is to be performed by steamers of over 2,000 tons gross. The best and fastest steamers to be got have been employed. Ho is to paid as follows : LOO,OOO per annum for a tenknot service, and a penalty of L2 for every heur’s delay. For an eleven-knot, L 75,000, with a premium, if increased speed is obliged. The service will probably be eleven knots. We have had to pay extra for a proportionate rate of speed, owing to the difficulty of procuring suitable vessels for such a short term contract, and loss of time in sending them out and bringing them back. The steamers are scoured. The Macgregor, now near Hong Kong, will be in Sydney on the sth December, and leave Sydney on the 30th December. The Tartar, now on a voyage to China, will be in Sydney for the second boat. The Mongol, a ■ew steamer, will be ready for sea in fire weeks. The fourth boat is not yet named. The temporary service will continue only about nine months, when the permanent service will commence. Instructions have been given to the solicitors to prepare the contract. We have bad most anxious tasks; but be assured that Russell and self will insist upon proper provisions for an efficient service.”