THE PROPOSED STEAM SERVICE WITH ENGLAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1568, 27 February 1879, Page 3

THE PROPOSED STEAM SERVICE WITH ENGLAND.

On the above subject the Wellington “ Chronicle” has the following apparently inspired article Some time ago we referred to the proposal made by Sir Julius Yogel, the Agent-General, to have a line of steamers established to run between London and New Zealand. The information received up to that date showed that the Agent-General had been in communication with some leading ship-building firms, and had received some preliminary information on the subject of the probable cost of the service, and the kind of steamers which would be required. Sir Julius, at that time, promised to report fully on the whole question at a later date when his information was complete. Letters received by the last English mail indicate that the proposals for a direct steam service between London and New Zealand have now assumed a practical shape. Sir Julius Yogel and Mr Larnach have had several interviews with Mr Galbraith and Mr Denny, the eminent Glasgow shipbuilders, and those gentlemen propose, on certain conditions, to establish a line of steamers equal, if not superior, to any line afloat. It must be understood that nothing definite has been settled on the subject, but the whole question has been gone into by Messrs Galbraith and Denny, and all necessary data, even to the most minute details, have been obtained. Should the suggested arrangement be carried out, it is proposed to build three steamers at Mr Denny’s works on the Clyde. These steamers would suffice to carry on an alternate month’s service between England and New Zealand and vice versa. The steamers would each have a gross register tonnage of about 4215 tons; horse-power nominal to be 700, capable of developing 4000. The vessels would b« splendidly fitted up, and the passenger accommodation provided would bo sufficient for 84 first-class, 34 second-class, and 450 third-class, or a total of 568. At an average draft of 21 feet the speed on trial would be 14i knots, but at sea, under ordinary circumstances, the average speed would bo 12i knots. Provision would be made for carrying 2400 tons of coal, which would be sufficient for the voyage under ordinary circumatances. It is estimated that the steamers would do the outward trip via the Cape of Good Hope in 42 days, and the homeward voyage via the Suez Canal in 40 days. The suggested passenger rates would be, saloon £7O, second cabin £35, and steerage £lB, the General Government guaranteeing to find a specified number of steerage passengers (emigrants) for the outward trips. It is calculated that with an alternate month’s service, only two full cargoes of wool per annum would be obtained, and that during the remainder of the year the steamers would require to depend chiefly upon wheat us homeward cargo, probably obtaining a freight of 45s per ton. Founding upon elaborate data carefully obtained, it is estimated that the three steamers would cost £115,000 each, or £345,000 in all. The estimated amount of capital required to work the uuder-

taking would be £365,000. Allowing for interest on capital invested, and taking into account the working expenses on one hand and the earnings on the other, the conclusion has, we believe, been arrived at by Mr Galbraith that a yearly subsidy of about £BO,OOO from the colony to the contractors, would be required to carry out the service. It is possible, however, that too low an estimate has been arrived at with respect icjthe probable earnings, and if these were to turn out larger than anticipated the contractor would take a smaller subsidy if a stipulation to that effect formed part of the original agreement. The suggested port of departure outwards would bo London, calling at a port in the Channel (outwards and homewards) to embark and disembark passengers and mails. The proposed contractors desire that the fixing of the port of arrival and departure in New Zealand should bo left in their own hands. They emphatically declare that both dry dock and wharfage accommodation would require to be available in the colony for the use ot the steamers. The length of dock and jetty required must not be less than 410 feet, and the draft of water for admittance to former 22 feet, and alongside the latter 24 feet. It should be understood that the proposal is still only in its initiatory stage, and that Messrs Galbraith and Denny do not at present positively commit themselves to a tender. Nevertheless, these gentlemen think that after they have been placed in possession of the views of the New Zealand Government on the subject, and an agreement arrived at as to the amount of the subsidy, they will then be in a position to treat definitely with the AgentGeneral for carrying out the service, provided the contract is not for less than eight years.