STEAM-NAVIGATION FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO THE AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 161, 15 December 1847, Page 3

STEAM-NAVIGATION FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO THE AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES.

[From the Austaalian of Nov. 23.] The Prospectus of The India and Australia Royal Moil Steam Packet Company (via Egypt), appears m the Melbourne Herald oi Thursday lust, the IBthlnst. The remarks u])on this by our co temporary, we now present to our readers. " This document is worthy of a most attentive perusal, demonstrating a« it does, the feasibility of executing its intentions, as well as trie manifold benefits which would thereby accrue, not only to the Coloniei and the English Government alike, but by placing Australia, China, India, and England, in a direct train of inter-communication, thus give such a stimulus to bo many hidden aud unthought-of resources, as would in all livelihood exercise a very considerable influence upon the social and political condition of the present ag<\ "It is a strange, though cheering coincidence, that, cotemporancouß with the arrival of this Prospectus via Sydney, most important intelligenoc of a somewhat similar nature, has been received via Adelaide. A Mr. Hayes, in conjunction with several influential shipowners of London and Liverpool, hsi proposed to the Government their willingness to chance an experimental trip from London to Adelaide, via the Cipe of Good Hope, by means of a tailing vessel fitted up with the auxiliary screw, provided that by way of encouragement, the Government would consent to ship in the vessel in question, a proportionate number of immigrants to bouth Australia, as well as pay over to the projectors any postal-proceeds winch might accme from the mails to be so transmitted. "To this Earl Grey has consented— the * trial-ship was to leave England some time during the present autumn, and as she was to accomplish her voyage in sixty'fine days, her arrival may be now shortly expected. " Such are the two plans already submitted to the Government. As yet the Colonial office hrs not openly adopted either, but from w!>at we can learn by the public despatches and private letters, the Singapore and Sydney line iB likely to be preferred, at home, ai being the most expeditious route, "The Government appears to us to regard both ■peculations with deep interest, feeling convinced ot the importance and utility that would result irom the establishment of the two lines. Tue Chief Secretary has consequently consented to yield a temporary ream* n? ration to one company— that of Adelaide, whilst her Majesty ha« granted a Royal Charter to the other— and circulars have been addressed from the Colonial office to the Governors of these Colonies (including his Honor the Superintendtnt for Port Puillip)» directing their attention to both propositions, to give the subject every consideration, and report ai soon as practicable upon theproDHble amount of pecuniary support (if any) likely to be voted for such purposes by the Legislatures of the respective Colonies. " ihe adoption of the line of route, however, ii a matter of secondary importance, compared with the great object of getting steam communication established at all, and will form a subject of subsequent consideration : in ihe mean time, we beg to direcc the attention of the Government and the Colonists to the proposed measure — the guccesiful currying into effect of which depends in a great degree up n their conjoint influ e j,J c We are convinced the Local Executives will, in consequence of the aspect of affans in Downiug-strct t, lend it their hearty co-operation— and let us hope that the reprtsentatives of the people will not be reluctant in advancing a project which' must be attended with incalculable benefit! to our adopted country.