DIRECT STEAM COMMUNICATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2668, 25 October 1882, Page 3

DIRECT STEAM COMMUNICATION.

[PBBSB ASSOCIATION TKLBSBAK.I WELLINGTON, October 24. The Postmaster-General supplies the following information. As it is found that the arrangements necessary to carry out the original intention of the Government to call for tenders in the Australian Colonies as well as in London for the above eorvioe would cause a serious loss of time and postpone the initiation of the service indefinitely, it has been determined that only the Agent-General for New Zaaland in London shall call for and reoeive tenders. This decision is made public in ordor that intending tenderers in the Colonies may make their arrangements accordingly. The following is an outline of the servioe required:—(l.) The service to be onoe every calendar month eaoh way, commencing in April, 1883, from London, and from New Zealand in July, and to continue for three years. (2) The vessels employed to be not less that 3000 tons gross tonnage. (8) The oontraotor to have the option on each voyage of making Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton or Port Chalmers the first port of arrival in New Zealand and the last port of departure, with liberty to call before departure at as many of the ports as the contractors may think fit. (4) The servioe to be performed eaoh way within 1200 hours. (5) Passengers to be carried at rates not exceeding the following :—Second olaas, £3O; third class, £ls; Government immigrants at rates not exoeeding the following— Statute adults, £ls; children above one year old and under twelve years, £9; children under one year free. Cargo—For New Zealand Government ordinary dead weight, 24s per ton ; ordinary measurement, 30s per ton. (6) A preference will be given the oontraotor for the carriage of Government immigrants and cargo. The probable quantity of Government cargo per year will be about 14,000 tons, and the number of Government immigrants about 2500 per annum. No absolute guarantee as to the quantity of cargo or number of immigrants will be given. (7) All the vessels to be fitted with approved refrigerating machinery for freezing meat and dairy produce, and each vessel to be provided with a fire and vermin proof looker for the safe custody of mails. (8) The vessels employed will bo exempt from the payment of light and harbor dues at New Zealand ports. The above particulars are given without prejudioe to a revision or alteration of the terms and conditions of contract whioh may be finally issued by the Agent-General, from whom further particulars oan be obtained.

Thanks to the commoroisd enterprise displayed by firms in Dunedin (says the " Herald "), it is probable that the problem of establishing a monthly iteam service between the colony and Great Britain will bo solved before the Government have determined to oall tenders for the £20,000 subsidy which was voted during the last session of Parliament for a direct line of steamers. Messrs B. M. Bloman and 00. have established a monthly line of steamships from Hamburg, Antwerp, and London direct to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, and offer through shipments between the Continent; and the colonies at reasonable rateß, The firm have eight cteamsrs, aggregating 29,400 tons, and we understand they •re building additional steamships for the Australian trade. Their steamship Sorranto will load at Port Chalmers for London next month, while she will receive portions of her oargo at Wellington and Lyttelton, which plaoes arc included as porta of oall in connection with the proposed permanent line. There is no doubt that the frozsn meat trade has largely influenced the efforta to e»tablish this new line of steamers, and the large carrying capaoity of the vessels to be engaged in the trade will enable wool-growers and Others to speedily plaoe the produce of the colony on tha London markets. Having regard to the importance of the enterprise the Government have advised the logal agents for the new line of steamers (Messrs Gibbs, Bright and Co., Bond street), that certain dues will be remitted. The Sorrento will be berthed at the Government wharf, Port Chalmers. It is understood that the Harbor Boards of Wellington and Lyttelton have declined to remit any dues in favor of the new steamor. Her oarrying capaoity is equal to 3800 tons. She will load wool at Wellington and Lyttelton, and from Dunedin she lakes 1000 tons of frozan meat and a large quantity of wool already secured. Wo ore informed that in order to arrive in ample time r,a discharge her oargo prior to the London wool soles in February next, the Sorrento will proceed Home via the Suoz Canal.