THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Southland Times, Issue 1260, 3 June 1870, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

■ m ■ The following communication was forwarded to us by telegraph from the General Government on Monday night last, bat came to hand too late for publication in Tuesday's paper. It is important, as showing the present position of the San Francisco Mail question and the views of the Ministry on that subject :— WELLnrGToir, May 30. A very large deputation waited upon the Postmaster- General for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the Government regarding certain resolutions passed at a public meeting previously held on the subject of the Oalifornian Mail Service. Mr Pearce presented the resolutions and some other papers, accompanying them with a few remarks, the substance of which was that the deputation was not hostile to the Government, nor mixed up with those who condemned the Government for entering into the existing contract with Mr Hall, nor pledged to support any company. The PostmasterGeneral, in reply, said that he was glad of the opportunity the deputation afforded him of giving some explanations upon a subject about which there had been much misrepresentation. The contract with Mr Hall would cost little or nothing, if the reduced cost of the Suez service were taken into account. He had been anxious to enter into the contract because he had had reasons to, suppose that otherwise the line would have gone by "Fiji, in which case the service to New Zealand would only have been a branch one. The con tract at any rate could not be a loss, and the first service had been a great success. It was not his fault that the first vessel was crowded. -Mr Collie had called on him in Auckland, and informed him in effect that at San "Francisco a fight was going on between Webb and Hall's friends, Halliday, Bremar and Co. ; that Webb wanted to dispose, of his vessels, which had been put out of employment by the opening of the Pacific Railway, j From Honolulu, Mr Hall had written favorably, and it was quite possible he had already made arrangements with either Webb or j Halliday, subject to the approval of the Government. Hall's contract was so stringent that he could do nothing without the consent of the Government. He (the Postmaster-General) did not wish to be over sanguine, and would say no more than that it was _. quite possible satisfactory • arrangements had already been made. He congratulated the members of the deputation on their public spirit, but was not sure that the action taken would not be injurious. First, it was a pity this colony should be mixed up with the local jealousies of Melbourne and Sydney. Secondly, Mr Collie had been led to expect that his large demand was reasonable, while he (the PostmasterGeneral), had assured Mr Collie he could not expect such a large amount, even if Hall's contract broke down. Touching the opinion of Government, they looked on the securing of a direct service as the most important point, and regarded the fixing of the port of call as a secondary, matter. At present they were quite content with Hall's contract, but would, if allowed, like to see the steamers, after touching at Auckland, proceed to Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, with branch steamers from Manakau to Melbourne and Sydney — the Port Chalmers dock would soon be completed, and would be available for the vessels. This would be a thoroughly colonial service. Government were determined to have nothing to do with any service which did not place New Zealand in the direc t route. If the route was to be by Fiji, they would let some other colony arrange it. He had tried at Sydney to persuade the contractors to proceed from Auckland to Wellington, Ljttelton, 4nd.!

Ofcago, as he was 'sure that was the best route. He presumed "Wellington would \ not object to vessels going on to Lyttel-; ton instead of to Melbourne. Govern-' ■ meat could not agree with the resolution that it was of the highest importance the route should be to Melbourne, and would not suggest the adoption of Melbourne as, the terminus to the prejudice of the present service. The Government would not consent Vo give such a subsidy as Collie had asked. If Hill's contract broke down, they would hive to be guided by circumstances, and do the best i they could. He believed the United States would stipulate for the route via Fijis, but the New Zealand Government I would adhere to the direct route. | Mr Pearce thanked the PostmasterGeneral for the information he had given. He- was. not authorised to speak for the I whole deputation, but thought he might I confidently say, that they, would be highly pleased with steamers calling first at Auckland, and .then jat the other New Zealand ports. They were not in any yvay bound to Mr Collie, and were prepared to, insists upon * direct route.