A DIRECT STEAM SERVICE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2619, 29 August 1882, Page 3

A DIRECT STEAM SERVICE.

WELLINGTON, August 28. The following letter, received by the Postmatter General from Mr Coster, managing direotor of the New Zealand Shipping Company, under date Bth inat., hag been pretested to Parliament to-night: " Sir, —Adverting to the letters which I have already addressed to the Government on this subject (a direot steam service) I now do myself the honour to intimate that this company is prepared to enter into a contrast with the Government to provide a monthly steam service between London and the colony and viae versa for a subsidy of £30,000 a year, being £2500 for eaoh round voyage. The steamers employed to be in all respects suitable for the conduot of a passenger and carrying trade, with a sea-going speed of eleven knots an hour, and to be of not less tonnage than 3500 tons gross builder's measurement. Such boats, it is contemplated, will make the voyage in fifty days. The duration of the contract to be five years, and during its continuance the immigrants introduced into the colony by the Government to be conveyed by the steamers and sailing ships of this company's line on rates to be mutually arranged. It will necessarily take some time to build the steamers needful for the service, but in the event of this offer being accepted we will forthwith cable to London to expedite contracts, and in the meantime if a prompt commencement of the service ia desired, we will do our best to provide by oharter or otherwise steamers as suitable as can be obtained.

'' I have, &0., "J. L. COSTEB, " Chairman and Managing Direotor."