PACIFIC MAIL CONTRACTS WITH AUSTRALIA.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 392, 14 September 1875, Page 3

PACIFIC MAIL CONTRACTS WITH AUSTRALIA.

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company, says a New York telegram of the 18th of August, has just entered into a contract with the Governments of New South Wales and New Zealand, by which the company is to send its steamers to the principal ports of those countries from San Francisco. Monthly vessels are to carry mails, and the company is to receive 450,000 dollars annually for the service. George S. Scott, the vice-presi-dent of the Pacific Mail, states that the agreement was consummated two months ago. The contract provides that the company shall despatch steamers monthly between San Francisco and Sydney, in New South Wales, and Port Chalmers, in New Zealand, for carrying the mails. The two Governments agreed to pay £89,950 annually for eight years. The company made a sub-contract with John Elder and Co, of Glasgow, for that firm to furnish two steamers, while the Pacific Mail Company will furnish two others, for the proposed mail service. The Pacific Mail Company will hold another steamer in reserve to take the place of any disabled vessel or supply any exigencies that may occur. Elder and Co, according to the first plan, were to receive two-fifths, and the Pacific Mail Company three-fifths of the profits. The arrangements had been altered somewhat. J. M, Ure, of Elder and Co, is now in this city. He has represented to the Pacific Mail Company that his firm will not be able to place any vessel in the line for the next three months ; he has therefore asked that during that time the Pacific Mail Company will waive the exact terms of the agreement, and run three of their own steamers regularly. To this they have agreed, and, of course, will take all receipts of running until the firm is able to fulfil its contract.