Latest Telegraphic Items.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 792, 2 June 1870, Page 2

Latest Telegraphic Items.

WELLINGTON. BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. The San Francisco Mail Service. We have to acknowledge the courtesy of the Government, in forwarding to us the following telegram : Wellington, May 30. A vei*y large and influential deputation waited to day on the Postmaster General to ascertain the views of the Government on the subject of certain resolutions passed at a public meeting with reference to the Californian service. Mr Pearce presented the resolutions and other papers, and made a few remarks, the substance of which was that the deputation were not hostile to the Government, nor mixed up with those who condemned the Government for entering into the contract with Mr Hall, nor pledged to support any company. The Postmaster General, in reply, said he was glad of the opportunity of giving explanations on a subject about which there had been much misrepresentation. The contract with Mr Hall would cost little or nothing if the reduced cost of the service via Suez were taken into account. He was anxious to enter the contract because of reason he had to suppose that, otherwise the line would go by Fiji, and New Zealand be only a branch. The contract, at any rate, could not be a loss to the oolony. The commencement of the service had been an undoubted success ; and it was not his fault that the first vessel was crowded. Mr Collie had called upon him in Auckland, and he (the Postmaster General) understood that in San Francisco there was a fight going on between Webb, and Hall's friends, Messrs

Haliidas% Bremar, and Co.; that Webb wanted to dispose of vessels which the Pacific railway had put out of employment. From Honolulu Mr Hall wrote favorably of this; quite possibly, indeed, he had already arranged with Webb and Halliday, subject to the approval of the New Zealand Government; for the contract with Mr Hall was so stringent he could do nothing without such consent. He (the Postmaster General) did not wish *x> be too sanguine and would say no more than that it was quite possible satisfactory arrangements had been already made. He congratulated the deputation on their public spirit, but was not quite sure that the action taken in this matter would not operate injuriously. First, it was a pity this Colony should be mixed up with the local jealousies of Melbourne and Sydney; secondly, Mr Collie had been led to expect that his large demand was reasonable, whereas he (the Postmaster General) had assured him that he could not expect such an amount even if Mr Hall's contract broke down. Touching the opinion of the Government, they looked on securing a direct service as the most important obiect, and regarded the question of Port of Call as secondary matter. At present they were quite content with Mr Hall's contract, but would, if any alteration were to take place, like to >ee the steamers, after touching at Auckland, proceed to Wellington, I/yttelton, and Port Chalmers (the dock at which place would soon be completed); while branch steamers would proceed from Manukau to Melbourne and Sydney. This would be a thoroughly Colonial service; and the Government was determined 10 have nothing to do with any service which did not place New Zealand in the direct line of route. If the route was to be by Fiji, let some other colony arrange it. He tried, when at Sydney, to persuade the contractors to proceed from Auckland to Wellington, Lvttelton, and Otago ; and he was sure that this was the best route. He presumed that Wellington would not object to vessels going on to Lyttelton instead of to Melbourne. The Government could not agree with the resolution that it was of the highest importance the route should he to Melbourne.. They would not write to Melbourne, nor would they consent to pay any such subsidy as that asked for by Mr Collie or do anything to prejudice the present contract; but if" Mr Hall's service .•should break down, they would do the best foi the colony. He believed that the United States would stipulate for Fiji, but the New Zealand Government would adhere to the direct route. Mr Pearce thanked the Postmaster General for the information he had afforded. He was not authorised to speak for the whole deputation, but thought he might confidently *ay they would be highly pleased with steamers calling first at Auckland, and then at other New Zealand ports. They were not bound to Mr Collie, and were prepared to insist on a direct route.

Referring to the above, Mr E. Pearce, the Chairman of the deputation, sent us the following telegram yesterday:— Wellington, 3.10 p.m. In reference to the telegram in yesterday's Herald about the San Francisco Mail Service, I desire to state chat the deputation did not express themselves satisfied with the terms of Mr Hall's contract. See the full report in the Independent to-morrow.