STEAM . COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

Southland Times, Issue 1197, 18 January 1870, Page 3

STEAM . COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

The completion of the Pacific Eailway has naturally led to the capitalists and ■ merchants of San Francisco bestirring j themselves ia the matter of steam communication with Polynesia, New Zealand, I and Australia. The Panama line, though a failure in a monetary sense, was a great j success in proving that the distance I between the Isthmus and New Zealand was not too great for continuous steaming; and the line once started, it is not likely that the inhabitants of what may be termed the highway between the northern and southern hemispheres will fail to tjake advantage of the experience they have gained, of the mistakes made by the defunct Panama Steam Company, in working it to advantage. "We are led into the above remarks by a circular forwarded to us, bearing the signature of Collie, Stewart, and Co., of San Francisco, in which it is proposed to establish a through line from England to Australia via the Pacific railroad, in connection with the Cunard line of steamers running from Liverpool to New York, the whole distance to be performed in forty-nine days. After enumerating the advantages already achieved by steamers running to China, Japan, and shortly to Honolulu, the circular goes on to say : — " A line of powerful steamers, combining speed with every comfort for passengers, having large roomy cabins with free ventilation, will connect this continent with the continent of Australia, calling at Honolulu, Fiji, New Caledonia, Brisbane, and Sydney. The route, embracing all those places of call, we have indicated for adoption, for the sake of performing the whole voyage in fine tropical weather, and avoiding the stormy coast of New Zealand. The mails for New Zealand and Victoria will be. conveyed thither by a branch line from Viti Levu (Fiji). A subside of £120,000 per annum will be required by the company to enable them to lay on the line a class of steamers sufficiently powerful to maintain a rate of speed to accomplish the distance from Liverpool to Sydney in forty-nine days. Of this amount the American, French, and Hawaiian Governments will contribute a part. The balance not exceeding £75,000 would be required to be furnished by the Australian and New Zealand colonies. The advantages to these colonies from being in direct and »rapid communication with all the places referred to, and then communication with Chili, at present interrupted by the breaking up ofthe Panama line, continued, is of sufficient import ance, we presume, to warrant us in j asking those colonists to entertain the subject, and to urge upon their respective Governments the desirability of considering the matter. If after due deliberation we are notified of a view favorable to the proposed route, we will be prepared to enter upon the service four months after we receive such notification." — Sydney Herald.