The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 1883. NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1069, 13 February 1883, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 1883. NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANY.

Mu John Jackson, Mayor of Timarn, in his address lo the electors when seeking the representation cf the town on the Harbor Board, said that none of the Insnranoe Companies would insure the hull of any vessel coming to Timnru, and that owners of large English vessels had

refused to allow tlieir ships to come imo the Port of Timaru on any account. This is a great misfortune for Timain, and the now Board ought to leave no stone unturned to alter this state of affairs. The value of the harbor to t l -' d'.'—va is incalculable. We are tola m... .. .. ai make a difference of about 21 per bushel in the price of grain as compared with Christchurch this year, That is. if the price of grain is 3s 6d in Christchurch, 3s 4a will be the price in Timara, If the number of bushels of grain in South Canterbury is ascertained, and a calculation made, it will be seen that the loss of 2d per bushel to the farmers of the district will le considerable. And still that will not represent the total loss. Everything we import as well as what we export must pay the piper the same as the grain, and so, in fact, the loss cannot be estimated. It is, therefore, important that the Board should realise this at once, and use every means in their power to induce the Insurance Companies to lower their rates and to deal more liberally with the port, In fact, we do not think that it is half so black as it is painted. The presence of a tug and the shelter of tiie Breakwater ought to have added considerably to its safety, and we think that if the Board bestir themselves they can do a great deal in the direction of inducing largo vessels to come to Timaru. It is pleasing to reflect that in the hour of need, when things looked the darkest, and when hope seemed almost fled, a kind friend stepped in to lend assistance. This friend is the New Zealand Shipping Company, whose ships are now loading in the port. In the darkest hour of the port’s unfortunate history, shortly after the May disasters, the New Zealand Shipping Company came to the assistance of Timaru by sending their vessels to load there, and by establishing - a branch agency in the town. Only for this it is very probable that no English vessels would have been loaded in Timaru tin's year, and therefore we think that the district ie under an obligation to the Company, find ought, never to forget the good service thus rendered If the Company had hung back like other owners of vessels, the port of Timaru would have since been bare of ships, as it is very probable that a good many of the other vessels which have visited the port have been induced to come because the Company’s vessels were lying safe and snug there. That the Company has befriended Timaru is therefore obvious, and we sincerely irust that when the port is rendered safe and owners of vessels will be glad to send their vessels, the people of Timaru will remember the kindness of the Company in befriending rlmm hour of need. The New Zealand Shipping Company deserves well, not only ol Timaru, but of the whole color.}. The business lias been carried on energetically!

and no pai .s have been spared to keep pace with the growing trade of tincolony. We notice that in addition to their magnificent fleet of sailing vessels, they purpose running a direct line of steamers that will make the through trip between London and Wellington in from 45 to 50 days. This cannot fail to do a great deal of good to the colony. It will induce persona who would never attempt the voyage in a sailing vessel to come to this colony and probably settle here, and those desirous of seeing the Old Land and t heir friends at Home, will have op. porlunities of doing so at a cheaper rata and more expeditiously than under existing circumstances. The first of these vessels is on the way now, and may be expected in a short time, and according to the descriptions given she is a magnificent steamer. Her name is the “ British King,” of 3559 tonnage, and 2 400 horse-power, She is to be followed by the “ British Queen,” a sister ship of the same tonnage and dimensions. We congratulate the Company on the energy and enterprise which they have shown. They deserve well of *he people of South Canterbury, and we trust that they meet may meet substantial recognition from tlie merchants of the district.