THE TORRES STRAITS MAIL SERVICE.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 533, 3 August 1866, Page 3

THE TORRES STRAITS MAIL SERVICE.

(From the Brisbane Courier, June 23.) The intelligence brought by the Soucbays on her late return from Batavia appears to nave placed tbe question as to the advisability of establishing a temporary steam service through Torres Straits in a new light, and the Legislative Council deserve every credit for being the first to decide in the affirmative. Before it was known that Queensland would receive any assistance from without in her endeavor to open up and develope this route, the public were almost unanimous in pronouncing against the carrying out of the scheme; and this unanimity became more apparent after the statement made by the Minister for Lands and Works at the commencement of the session, that the service would cost the colony something like £35,000 per annum. Although f&\v then depreciated the probable advantages which direct communication with the great mart of Eastern produce would confer upon us, it was argued that we could not, even for the sake of such immense contingent benefit in the future, afford to lay out so large a sum of money every year. It was, however, at that time, hopefully anticipated by many that the Souchays would bring back satisfactory news as to the result of the negociations, which Captain Simpson had been dispatched to enter into, if possible, with the authorities of iSTetherlands India. These expectations were more than verified ; the Dutch Government having responded to our proposals in a manner clearly indicative of their spirit both of enterprise ! and liberality. They appear, in fact, to | have gone somewhat out of their usual course to meet us hall-way, as the action they have taken has yet to be endorsed by their home Government. Whether the latter will consent to any arrangement by which the colonial Government would bind themselves to contribute to the maintenance of a permanent service, remains to be seen ; in the meantime we are guaranteed a sum equal to about £1760 of our money as a subsidy for each of not more than six trips. In moving the resolution, Mr Douglas took care to state that he did not advocate the service as one that would be likely to secure to the colonies more rapid communication with England ; as a means solely of postal intercourse the rout is not, perhaps, much preferable to the present. The time of despatching the mails via Torres Straits might be so arranged, indeed, that the communication with Europe would be fortnightly instead of, as now, monthly ; and in that case we should, of course, have more frequent, if not more rapid, means of intercourse with the mother country. There can be no two opinions, on the other hand, as to the commercial benefits which the opening of this route will confer upon this colony. We now know that the mercantile community of Batavia and Java are willing to stretch out the hand of fellowship, and enter into business relations with us. The colonies would be a good market for their produce, and a regard to their own interest inducts them to endeavor to secure the opening of the route. But if they would be benefited, we in our tarn should experience the favorable results of being enabled j to obtain many articles of consumption which we now import from Europe and other distant places, within a few days' sail of our own ports ; and, while the expenses of freight would, when the service is once established, be considerably diminished, other advantages arising from the shorter voyages, would be experienced. Through this new channel of intercourse, also, we may reasonably expect to see the introduction of capital to be invested in the colony ; as the climate and many portions of our territory could not fail to produce favorable inpressions on visitors who have been engaged in the production of these articles of which Batavia and Java are the chief produce markets. "We need not go to any greater length, however, to enumerate the commercial advantages which we should derive from the establishment of the servire in question, as they are so well appreciated. The only point upon which' there appears to exist any doubt is, as to whether the colony can afford, at the present time, to incur the expense which such a service would entail, even with the contingent benefits in prospectu. Until tenders are submitted, it is very uncertain what would be the lowest amount that the service could be carried on for. Mr Douglas stated that he had received two offers for the carrying out of a temporary service, and both are worthy of consideration. The first was from Mr Praser, a Batavian merchant, connected with a Glasgow firm. This gentleman offers to dispatch a steamer from Batavia to Cape York to meet the Souchays, if the latter dispatched from here in August next, on condition that he shall be entitled to the subsidy offered by the Dutch Government. In connection with this offer two points have to be taken into consideration. In the first place, it seems to be a matter of uncertainty whether the Dutch Government would consider it a complete trip, and pay their contribution accoEdingly; and, in the second place, there would be the serious inconvenience of a transhipment' of the mails and cargo at Cape York. Taking into calculation the expenses of the Souchays both while on the voyage and while waiting either a* the latter port or at Moreton Bay, Mr Douglas estimated that this trip would cost about £5240. The next offer was from Messrs Bright Brothers, a wellknown firm doing business in this city. They propose to take the responsibility of the Souchays from the Government, who have chartered her for twelve months, to pay the eharfcer-party, insurance, and other charges, and to run the Hero, a steamer of superior tonnage to the Souchaps, between Batavia and Brisbane three times in six months for the sum of £13,800, or £2300 per month. If this offer is accepted, and presuming that tbe Dutch Government will contribute their

promised subsidy to each trip, the service for the six months would cost us about £8520. .From this amount, also, must be deducted the expenses connected with the Souehavs, her insurance, charter &c, which the Government will have to pay if they keep possession of her during the remainder of the period for which she is chartered, but the responsibility of which Messrs, Bright, Brothers, will undertake, if their offer is accepted. This would still further reduce the total cost of the service. If the Legislative Assembly, however, agree to the resolutions adopted by the Council, and affirm the advisability of establishing a temporary service, it would be as well for the Government to postpone the acceptance of auy offer until tenders have been called for.