The Direct Steam Service.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4312, 26 October 1882, Page 2

The Direct Steam Service.

The Government has called for tenders f for a direct commercial £ team sirvice' under the authority granted by Parlia* ment last session. The Government have abandoned the idea originally entertained,, of making tenders receivable- either mi Australia or England, as being lilrely ;to cause delay; and intending, .tenderers in the colonies aie, therefore, informedin time that they 'must make arrangements to send their tenders! in to the Agent-General in London. The knotty question nof the New Zealand ports of call has been settled by leaving it optional, with the contractor. He may either choose Auckland," Wellington, Lyttelton, or Port Chalmers, for, the first pert of ■ arrival and last of depart "tore. The service is to be a monthly one, next April, and 7s* Uy bp performed by steamers of not le9i utnan 3,000 tons gross tonnage; the time occupied not to exceed 1200 hours—so

riays. The conditions provide for • moderate rate of fare'—second class £30, and third class' £15. The steamers must be' fitted up with refrigerating machinery and properly constructed mail-rooms. The Government guarantee that a preference be given to these steamers in shipping Government cargo and immigrants, but they do not give any assurance of the extent of trade that may be expected from this 'source, although 14,000 tons and 2,500 immigrants are named as an approxi* mate estimate ; the rate of freight is not to exceed 24s per ton dead weight, or 30s measurement.