The New-Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 677, 9 October 1852, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

He just ami fo.ir not . Let nil tne ends thou alm'st at, be thy Country'b, '1 liy Gon's, and Truth's.

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, OCT. 9, 1852.

STEAM COMMUNICATION BY PANAMA.

Tin: intelligence given in our Wednesday's Supplement respecting Ihe prosperous stale of the undertaking to establish Steam (loinmunicalion between England and the Australian Colonies by way of Panama, is too important to the interests of New Zealand to be permitted to pass without more particular notice. All doubt of the success of the project had been set at rest by the announced fact that, —such was the attractiveness of it as an investment of capital, that, not only was the subscription list of the "Australasian Pacific Mail Steam Packet Company" rapidly filled up, bill there were applications for no less than 40,253 shares, while the lolal number to be allotted was only 12,500. An enterprise the value of which was thus appreciated, was not likely to be suffered to flag through subsequent inaction ; and it may be anticipated with the utmost confidence that the year 1 833 will witness the establishment of regular communication by that route which the most (superficial prejudices, must sec at a glance is beyond all comparison the best. The zeal of the Australians to secure the object appears from the last accounts to grow more and more ardent, as Extracts from bolh the Sydney daily papers which will be found in our columns to-day will suffice to show. The deep conviction of the vast superiorily of the Panama route over its competitors, which is the main incentive to this warmth on the subject, has incidentally received an impulse from the slow and unsatisfactory passages made by both the Chusan and the Australian. As respects the latter vessel especially, the toneof high-flown praise in which she was described at first had been considerably lowered by developments which led the Herald to gi\e her as a parting word this character — she "is certainly not adapted for so long a voyage as thai between England and these Colonies ;" — and we observe that forty-two of the second cabin passengers had published in the Melbourne papers a letter complaining of the "accommodation" (or rallffcr want of accommodation) they had experienced. Additional dissatisfaction was caused by in formation in private letters that the next steamer of the line wotdd not be ready at the appointed time, the 3rd of August, and that the (iovernment had agreed to lengthen out the lime to the 3rd of September, — a delay which would ha\e been more keenly felt in Sydney were it not that the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Formosa was likely lo sail on the 7th of August Passing by, however, anything that may be peculiar to one ship or a single voyage, the great point is the rapidity of intercourse which the Capeand Indian lines can not, by any skill of management or liberality of outlay be made lo a lib I'd in an equal degree. Mr. S. A. Donaldson had given notice of a motion in the New South Wales Legislali\e Council for a grant of i-GOOO per annum for three years lo the first Company which shall establish a monthly line of steamers between Sydney and the Isthmus of Panama by which the course of post between London and Sydney shall be brought under 150 days. The motion was lo be brought forward on the 28lh ulf,, and there seemed no doubt that it would be agreed to with cordiality, — the only objection raised hitherto against it being that the bonus should be made larger, so as with more certainly to secure the employment of firstclass steamers. "Sydney to London in Six Weeks" is the title of one of ihe articles which vv c extract. It seems a startling idea, but why should not the prediction be realised ? What would have seemed visionary only a few years since is now brought withni the compass of overy-day experience. When men can make the sun paint portraits for them, and the lightning convey their messages of business or pleasure from one city or country to another, — and when they have already harnessed steam to their locomotives by land and water with such amazing results — why should (his be deemed incredible? On the contrary, it is no more than calm calculation may lead us to anticipate with little doubt. Now in all this, w r c of New Zealand, must from our geographical position participate, and with the additional advantage of lying nearer to Panama, so that, if the passage to Sydney be accomplished in six. weeks, we shall be brought within about five weeks of England. This consumption, however, may not speedily be fully attained ; but even the slower rate— which may be all we can look for at first, — will be an improvement in our means of communication in the prospect of which wcmaywell feel elated and hopeful. The advantages which Auckland presents as the port of call to the Steamers will we trust be sufficiently understood by the Managers of the Company to secure its being fixed upon without hesitation. Indeed we have not anywhere met with any other suggestion, although we could earnestly wish that we had a LegislaliveCounci! silting juslnovv, by which a bonus could be offered like that proposed at Sydney lo induce a final and immediate decision to this effect. That any Council representing the people, or alive to the interests of the district, would gladly make an appropriation for the purpose cannot, we should think, admit of doubt. Meanwhile any representations on the subject which our commercial men or any others who can exercise influence in the matter in England can make may not be lumeeessary or without good cffccl ; and we can imagine no good ( reason why the elected members for the Provincial Council, although not formally j assembled for business, should not act as the represcn la lives of the people, bolh in this case, and in opposition lo the New Zealand Company's claim, by forwarding, in the semi-official and unquestionably influential tone they might most lillingly adopt, such statements of encouragement in the one

instance, and of protest in the oilier, as I hoy Know would Imj in accordance wilh both the inlercbls ami tin; wishes of their constituents.

Ti is no doubt known lo ninny of our ponders (for the best reason— because (hoy arc themsohes amongst Uieeonlribulors— ) that a f.ubscripiioM has, w itliiii the last few da\s, been scl on fool for Hie purpose of offering a reward for the diseo\cry of Gold, the native produce of this district, no much larger limn llial previously aduM'tised as lo afford greater inducement lo a diligent search by intelligent persons. The accidental presence here of a number of Ihe wrecked passengers J)y ibe Ceres, who had been accustomed to the appearance of the auriferous districts in California, seemed opportune for such a purpose, as some of them might engage, (and, we belie\c, have engaged) in "prospecting." The subscriptions now amount, we are informed, lo between 800/. uv.d 000/., and a meeting of the Subscriber^ i-, to be held at the " lloyal Exchange Hotel" on Monday next, at noon, for the purpose of considering- the best steps dial now can be taken in furtherance of the object. We have reason to believe that se\cral of the contributors think that, as the total is so considerable, a portion of the amount might, with both propriety and public ad\anlagc, be applied in the way of augmenting the reward of 100/. offered by one liberal gentleman for the discovery ol'Coal in the Northern District, suitable for Ihe purposes of Steam Na\igalion. The objects arc strictly kindered and the benefit which would accrue to Auckland from a discovery which would enable us to hold out to the Australasian Pacific, or any other Company that might establish Steam Communication by way of Panama with Australia, the inducement of being able to obtain coal at our port, is 100 c\idenl to need comment. Two subscriptions, for these purposes respecli\cly, might not easily be raised at present; but the List in existence being so liberally fdled up, it is certainly worthy of consideration whether, o\or and alune an adequate, reward to stimulate ci'fort for Gold diseo\ery, there may not be a sum made available to furnish additional stimulus lo ihe search for Coal, — particularly as this latter is a search which would probably inlabour and outlay in the work of ascertaining the actual \alue of some promising indications, beyond that which would be necessary in prospecting for Gold. The matter of course rests entirely with the subscribers, who can dispose of their own funds as they please, and will, we presume, determine the point by their resolutions on Monday.

P'oL'fniiM. Majgii. — The Auckland and New Ulster Agriculfcuial Society's Annual Ploughing Match too •> place on Thursday at Otahulm. Tlio flay was favourable, and there was a considerable ittcndancc of the farmers and friends of agriculture ; but, wo regret to learn, the number of ploughs brought into competition was not as large as had been expected, or as might have been looked for from the resources ofthe- district. We have not been able to obtain the names of the uiccessful competitors, but shall probably publish them in our next. Auckland Land Association. — We arc gratified to find that all the delays which interposed in the complete organization of this Association have at length been overcome, and that every step required by the Ordinance having been taken, the Secretary, Mr. Hansard, is receiving signatures of members and payments on account 01 Shares. We anticipate that now — the Association being in actual and strictly legalizod operation — many of the industrious classes will be induced to unite in a plan by which a small weekly payment \vil[ bring within their reach (perhaps very speedily) .1 little freehold all their own.

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