THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Evening Star, Issue 4209, 23 August 1876, Page 4

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce has issued a report on the San Francisco mail service, which has been forwarded to Wellington for consideration. We extract the following: senfences therefrom, as showing the opinion of the Chamber upon this important question :—This Chamber respectfully suggests to the Committee of the House of Representatives the advisability of meeting the wishes of the contractors, by recommending to the House tho discontinuing of these services, an equitable reduction of tho subsidy, and the selection of Auckland as tho port of call. In suggesting this selection, this Chamber lias nob lost sight of the claim of the Bay cf Islands, as being one of the most northern ports of the Colony. Rut the increase of commerce is a chief object which every Government hopes to attain by opening communication with distant countries, and this can only be secured by direct lines to large centres of population. Very great saving would be effected in the distribution of the mails in New Zealand if the port of call be Auckland instead of the Bay of Islands, as the large expensive steamer which will be required to run from the Bay to Auckland, and then round the East Cape in the bice of the frequent south-easters, to Wellington, would not be required, the Southern mails going via Manukau, as suggested in a former part of this report, whilst a small steamer could take the Napier portion. It appears to this Chamber the saving of a few hours’ steaming is the only superiority which can be claimed for the Bay of Islands, whilst the advantages of Auckland are now many and will increase, The Chamber is of ©pinion that the mail service to and from San Francisco, Honolul, Auckland, and Sydney, would bring a constant stream of passengers to our shores, would increase our intercourse with the Colony of New South Wales, and tend to make the line both popular and profitable.