THE PANAMA ROUTE SETTLED.

Southland Times, 22 January 1864, Page 3

THE PANAMA ROUTE SETTLED.

We are glad to be able to inform our readers, on good authority, that Mr Ward, at the date of the last mail leaving considered he had finally concluded an arrangement for the Panama route. Mr Ward was himself very ill. Still he wrote an official letter which appears 10 have miscarried. Our information is obtained from a private letter to Mr Dillon Bell, dated October 25th, the following extract from which, that gentleman has kindly permitted us to publish. The letter has followed Mr Bell from Auckland, hence the delay in its receipt. Mr Bell returned to J)unedia from, the country last night : — ; " Panama, I trust, will now be an accomplished fact at no great expense to the community. The Inter-colonial Company have taken the contract, and are setting about carrying out. I have every faith in their power to do so, and also in their will. As to the expense, it is really trifling. Even if New South Wales does not give a farthing towards the subsidy, the new contract will not cost more than L 17,000 more than we are already spending. on. steam, probably; a good deal less. If New South Wales; gives anything in reason, we shall get Panama for i absolutely less than our share of Suez. I call this something like a result, and shall expect to be congratulated accordingly.'' — Qtago Daily Times.

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