AUCKLAND AND THE DIRECT STEAMERS.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 February 1885, Page 3

AUCKLAND AND THE DIRECT STEAMERS.

At the last quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce a resolution was adopted to the effect that the increasing trade of Auckland required more regular communication with London by direct steamers, and a copy oi the resolution was sent to the steamship companies at present doing business with New Zealand. The following reply has been received from the Secretary ot the New Zealand Shipping Company at Christchurcb, from which it would appear that the claims of Auckland are admitted : — " Christchurch, January 28, 1885. " The Shcebtary Chamber of Commerce, "Auckland. " Dear Sir, — Your letter of 17th inst. was laid before the Board of Directors of this Company at its meeting held yesterday, and I am directed to reply that on Mr Coster's arrival in London next month arrangements will be made to despatch one of our direct steamers at intervals direct for Auckland, and we anticipate the steamer loading at London in March will be the first to come direct to your port. "Permit me to add that the director! of this Company recognise the importance of the import and export business of Auckland, and also that the merchants are entitled to a fair share of the advantages to be derived from direct communication by steamer from London, and arrangements are being made accordingly. — I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, " Isaac Gibbs, Secretary." No reply can be received from the Shaw, Savill Company for some time, but as this Company has already resumed the trade by the despatch of the Doric for Auckland, no further reply is necepsary. It now only remains for our merchants to give every encourag ment to those steamers which may be laid on, and for the companies to give timely notice of their sailing dates.