THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4788, 27 July 1876, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

: Further papers relative to this service were on July 20th tabled in both Houses of Parliament. Amongst them we have tbe letter of the Pacific Mail Company’s agents at Sydney, proposing the abandonment of the coastal service tor this 'colony. Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and, Co., writing to Sir Julius Vogel on the 29th May last, say: —“We have the honor, on behalf of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, to make application to yon that the route adopted under the contract of 23rd July, 1875, be changed to a direct route from Sydney to Bay of Islands, Honolulu, San Francisco, and ■ vice versa; , and in. making the application we beg respectfully to bring under your notice the following points in favor of the proposed change, which the experience of working the service during the past six months has' fully demonstrated. The contractors, in complying with their agreement that vessels of ; ‘ not less gross registered tonnage than 2500 tons each’ should be employed, have constructed and plaoed in the service the City of San ; Francisco, City of New 1 York, and City of Sydney; Australia, and ’ Zealandia, steamships unequalled in power, strength, and magnificence of accommodation by any ever previously seen in the colonies. The calling at Fiji has proved a serious disadvantage to the service, inasmuch as the meeting of three vessels in the Pacific Ocean at one point, many thousand miles distant from the •three different points they have started from, cannot but be attended with an uncertainty fatal to a mail : service even with the best equipped" vessels in the world. The navigation of the Fiji group is liable to great risk from low islands, coral reefs, and unknown currents;; , and as the Fiji Government have not placed lights on harbors and channels known to be dangerous, much delay is caused to the mail steamers by the necessity for their awaiting daylight to enter, or of making long detours to avoid such passages. The Fiji Government contribute nothing to the service, nor are there any benefits attending the calling at Kandavau to compensate for the diadvantage and risks to life. The avoidance of transhipment at Kandavau —a process under the present contract causing great discomfort -in that tropical climate—will prove an immense convenience to passengers, in enabling them to retain their accommodation from their starting point to final destination ; while it will result in establishing a large interchange of commodities between. California and the colonies ; but for which, under the present system of transhipment,'the service is practically, useless. Although the distance by. the direct route proposed is somewhat greater, the time occupied in "the voyages from Sydney to San Francisco and vice versa would not be materially increased, as the above-stated causes of delay, at present existing) would be partially removed. ■ In proposing to refrain from conducting the coastal service of New Zealand, the contractors are actuated by the knowledge that their large and magnificent ships are somewhat unfitted for coasting trade of the nature contemplated. This trade can be more safely and satisfactorily carried on by the fine local steamers New Zealand now possesses, commanded as they are by seamen thoroughly acquainted with the coast, and the contractors are undesirous of interfering with this trade. The depth of water in some of the New Zealand ports is so limited, that it will be highly dangerous, and at times quite impossible, for the vessels we name, if fully loaded, to enter and leave. The Bay of Islands is well situated as a port of call en route. It is free from all thick weather and outlying dangers, has a splendid climate and an excellent harbor, and will no doubt be connected with the rest of New Zealand and Australia by telegraph 1 wire. Owing to the interruption of cable communication with New York, we arc unable to obtain such explicit instructions as will enable us at present to make any new contract, but we are aware that the contractors are willing to make the change we propose ; and we respectfully beg your favorable consideration of the application, as we are confident the direct route named will result in greater regularity as a mail service, and be attended with additional advantages to the travellers and the commerce of the colonies. We have addressed to our ‘Postmaster-General a similar proposal to the foregoing.” Sir Julius Vogel replied to the above on tbe sth of this month, and in his letter observes:— “ I must point out that you have not afforded any information as to the probable reduction of subsidy the contractors would be willing to accept in the event of the proposed amended service being adopted. Were it adopted, it would involve the use of one boat less than required to carry out the C Service, which service the Pacific Mail Steamship Company agreed to perform for £74,950 per annum, so that you should name a much less sum than that amount. A select committee of the House of Representatives has been appointed to consider the question of whether or not any modification of the present service should be accepted., You must not consider that I have expressed an opinion concerning your proposal. I have’ desired to point put that unallied with the question of cost, it is hardly: placed before me in a ,manner that would' admit of its consideration.” 1 ■ 1 ’ On the 3rd of July Sir Julius Vogel telegraphed to the Postmaster-General, Sydney, as follows:—“ The Government will be much in- ! debted if to ; day or to-morrow you will let them know your views about changes Californian service. . Have no reply to repeated requests same kind. The captains say service will not ibe continued as at present, and that contrac- . tors will throw up. . If you wish such result I let us. know. People here would not much ; regret, they are so tired of irregularities. If you wish it to proceed, surely better state your views. We propose to move for select committee to report upon changes, if any desirable. If jwe know your views shall soon be able to say it we are willing or hot to meet them. At present, service, is continued source of annoyance.” ’ Having received no reply to the above, Sir Julius Vogel telegraphed again on the Bth instant “We have appointed select committee to inquire what alterations or modifications, if any, it is desirable should be made in Californian contract. ; Suggest that similar committee your House might enable us come to understanding.” i To which ho reply has been as yet vouchsafed.