THE WEBB LINE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 248, 25 July 1872, Page 2

THE WEBB LINE.

Recent advices from New Zealand and Australia (says the N. F. News Letter) are not favourable for a continuance of the Webb line unleSß aided by a subsidy from Washington. Thus far it has been sustained at the joint expense of New Zealand and W. H. Webb, the former paying a subsidy of £50,000 a-year, the latter losing a similar amount. The arrangement at first entered into by Mr Vogel on behalf of New Zealand with Air Webb was too much iu the interest of New Zealand to enlist the sympathy of Australia ; and all efforts since made by Mr Vogel to induce the Australians to join New Zealand in the enterprise, aud to share the expense, have been met with promises to bring the subject before the respective Parliaments, the Alinistry having no power to act without their sanction. The Chambers of Commerce of Sydney and

Melbourne have been urgent in their appeals to their respective Governments to afford tempo-ary aid, but to no purpose. The value and importance of the service is fully appreciated and acknowledged, and nothing did so much to convince them of this as the presence of American purchasers at their wool sales. The respective Australian colonies have notified the Home Government that the present postal service via Suez, will terminate in 1873, whon it is proposed to arrange for a fortnightly service via the Cape and via America alternately, with Alelbourne or Sydney as the port of departure. The NcwsLetter noticed a year ago the proposition of Air Burstal to contract to deliver the mails in England in forty-five days

from Alelbourne, with satisfactory guarantee from leading shipbuilders in England. That plan has since been matured by the London aud Australian Steamship Company, to perform the service in forty-five days. The population of New Zealand is too small and present business too light, while the demand upon her treasury to pay interest on money ‘ borrowed for internal improvements and development of resources is too great, to warrant a long continuance of the present heavy subsidy —equal to one dollar periiead for her entire population. While it is not probable that Mr Webb, with all his wealth and enterprise, will care to contiuuc unaided much longer a business so unprofitable, with, a subsidy from Washington be might be placed in a position to respond to the invitation which Austialia will give to the world to tender lor the proposed service. It is evident that Congress will graut no subsidy for trie service before its adjournment. Tire question then is, can the service be maintained without it, and, if so, how ? %

'J lie Emperor of Germany has sent to the Superior apd costers of Ail Smuts’ Home, Alaigaiei-sireet, Cavendish Square, the Iron Croi-s of Aleiii, iu consideration of their services to the sick and wounded iu the German army dining the late war,