STEAM FROM ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA. [From the South Australian, June 5.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 408, 30 June 1849, Page 3

STEAM FROM ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA. [From the South Australian, June 5.]

The question of steam to Australia now appears to be decided upon, The contract has been taken, not by the Oriental and Peninsular, but by the India and Australia Steam Packet Company; and the first vessel is expepted to be despatched in June. The following are the despatches on this subject td the Governor of Van Dienaen's Land, received in Adelaide on Saturday last : — (No. 188.) Downing- street, 30th November, 1848. Sir, — With reference to former correspondence on the subject, I transmit to you herewith, for your information, the enclosed copy of a despatch which I have addressed to the Governor of New South Wales, notifying: that an arrangement was about to be concluded by Her Majest} 's Government with the India and Australia Steam Company, provided it should be made to appear that the Company were able to pei form such a contract, for the conveyance of the mails between Singapore and Sydney. A proposal for the estalilishwient of communication with Australia via the Cape, by means of sailing vessels with screw propellers, is still under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, Grey-. Lt.- Governor Sir Wm. Thos. Denison, &c, &c, &c.

(No. 211.) (Cory.) Downing-street, 30th November, 1818. j Sir, — With reference to preiinus correspondence on the same subject, I transmit to you herewith, for your information and guidance, the en rinsed copy of n letter from the AasistantSecieiary to ihe Board of Treasury, intimating that, advening to the advantages which maybe anticipated from the acceleration of the commu-nication-with the Australian colonies by tho establishment of steam conveyance, and looking to the aid which may be expected from the colonies towards the expense of the undertaking, the Lords Commissioners are of opinion that they will be justified in accepting a tender made by the India and Australia Sfeam Packet Company for the conveyance of the mails between Singapore and Sydnej, in three vessels of two hundred horse power, for £26,000 per annum, for a period uf not less than six jeav*; and they have intimated to the Board of Admiralty their approval of ouch contract beins; concluded, provided that the Board are satisfied of the ability of the Company to perform the service. You will further perceive, that it has been intimated to the Board of Admiralty that, as the colony of New South Wales has already agreed to a grant of £6,000 per annum, for three years, in aid of that service, it will not be necessary to make provision in the na\y estimates for more than €20,000 on account of the contract; j'ou will therefore take the necessary measun s for the payment, from time to time, into the Commissariat chest, of such sums as will accrue from the grant in question, in order that they may be applied towards the expense of the contract. I have further to acquaint you, that a proposal for establishing steam communication with Australia, via the Cape, is still under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c, Grey. Governor Sir Charles A . Fitzroy, &c, &c, &c.

(Copy.) Treasury Chambers, 17th November, 1848. Sir, — With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the conveyance of the pails between Singapore and Sydney, I have it in command to" request that you will state to Earl Grey, that the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's treasury, adverting to the great and rapidly increasing importance of the Australian colonies, and to the advantage, both in a commercial and social point of view, of facilitating the communication between them and the mother country, are of opinion that the question of the conveyance of the mails should not be determined solely with reference to the return which may at present bederived from the postage, but that the ulterior advantages which may accrue from the acceleration of the communication should be taken into consideration; and, adverting also to the aid which may be expected from the colonies towards the expense of the undertaking, they are of opinion that they will be justified in accepting a tender made by the India and Australian Steam Packet Company frr the conveyance of the mails between Singapore and Sydney, in three vessels of two hundred horse power, for £26,00') per annum, for a period of not less than six years. And my Lords have caused their approval of such contract being entered into, to be signified to the Board of Admiralty, provided they are satisfied of the ability of the Company to perform the service. My Lords have also directed the Board of Admiralty to be informed that, as the colony of New South Wales has already agreed to a grant of '£6,000 for three years in aid of their

service, it-will be unnecessary to make provision in the navy estimates for more than 4'2 n ,o'*o <>n account of the contract: wi'h reference to jou) fetter of ihe 24th July 'ast, stating that the Legislative Council of New South Wales had decided upon such grant, I am to request that you will move liord Grey to cause instructions to be conveyed to the Governor of that colony for the payment into the Commissariat chest of such sums as will accrue from the grant in question, in order that my Lords may apply the same towards the expense of the contract I am also to request that you will observe to Lord Grey that the question of obtaining contributions towards this expense from other colonies which may derive benefit from the arrangements, as well as the extension of the grant from New South Wales to ihe latter period of the contract, will be a subject for future consideration. I am, &c, (Signed) J. C. Trevelyan. Herman Merrivale, Esq., &c, &c, &c.