THE LITTE BROWN MAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3739, 10 January 1907, Page 3

THE LITTE BROWN MAN.

Alleged purchase of a Spreckles Liner. Whijjngton, Jan. 9. The statement by the New York correspondent of the Melbourne Age that 11 The Japanese have the option of purchase of one of the Spreckles’ line of ’Frisco steamers, and that they will ultimately gain possession of the line,” w'as brought under the notice of the Premier. {Sir Joseph said he was rather inclined to doubt the accuracy of the statement, but considered the matter of sufficient importance t<£tnsljtute enquiries a.s to the truth of the statement from the Spreckles’ agent at Auckland, Later. The “ Ncsv Zealand Times ” publishes the following to-day : —ln connection with the .statement that the Japanese were acquiring the option of the Sprockets line of steamers trading to Australia, the Premier yesterday afternoon received the following reply from the manager of the Oceanic Steamship Company at Auckland in answer to Jus telegram inqnirif there was any truth in the report: “ There is no foundation for the statement that Messrs Spreckcls and Co. have sold their interest in the Oceanic Steamship Company to the Japanese. As a matter of fact, they confidently look forward to events which will warrant them in improving the service to all concrncd in the near future,”