THE NEW POSTAL SERVICE.

Southland Times, Issue 1205, 4 February 1870, Page 3

THE NEW POSTAL SERVICE.

Some details of interest with reference to the new Californian service are given by the Sydney correspondent of the Argus, who writes as follows : — The route by way of Auckland is not quite so direct astbat from Sydney to the "Fijis, but then it is alleged that there is no known harbour in that group of islands which can be safely entered at any time day or night, and that by making a good easting ■from Sydney, a fair wind is obtained which largely compensates for somewhat increased distance. The detour by Auckland will, it is said, only add two days to the length of the voyage. New Zealand, moreover, could not in any case be left out, because it is really the prime mover in the contract. This new trans-Pacific service, like that to Panama, which it comes to replace, has heen in the first instance got up in New Zealand, which will not and cannot remain contented with the Suez route. In fact, the contract at present is simply between New Zealand and the contractors. The assent of the other colonies has yet to be obtained. The Hon. Julius Yogel, Treasurer and Postmaster-Q-eneral of New Zealand, represents Australasia. The American Consulrepresents America. Each party expects to be backed up, and, so far* the whole affair is provisional ; for, if the expected backing does not come, the project may be abandoned. It is established to some extent speculatively. The consul is acting in concert with the Oalifornian, Oregon, and Mexican Steamship Company, whose vessels at present run from San JPrancisco to Honolulu, under contract with the United States Government. It is the;r interest to promote the new line, which will be simply an extension of their present operations. Their influence will be used to secure the proposed American subsidy of £10,000 ayear. Only an American company could get a subsidy from the "United States Government, audtne'pruicipal difficulty in the way will be the fact that vessels sailing under the English flag will be used for part of the service. So far as support at this end of the line is concerned, Mr Yogel has secured the favourable consideration of the present Government ; but of course, our Premier will not promise anything positive till parliamentary assent has been obtained. Mr .Robertson, however, who has been interested in stations in Northern Queensland, is very partial to the Torres Straits route, and wishes in return for his patronage of the New Zealand project to get some quid pro quo in the shape of assistance for the northern route, and in this, of course, he is backed, up by the Queensland Government. The amount Victoria is expected to contribute to the Californian line is £8,000 a year. South Australia and Tasmania will each be ; asked for *£1,500 ; but it is wished that Victoria should settle with them, and in that case its contributions will be fixed at £10,000, thus allowing it £1,000 profit in return for the responsibility it undertakes. The contribution of Queensland is to be drawn out of it by New South "Wales, and is left for those two colonies to settle between themselves. If all the colonies should unite, as it is hoped they will, of course all-will have a voice in the management At present the authority is solely vested in New Zealand, which stands as the only party to the contract, but that colony is willing to share the power with all with whom it can share the expense.