THE AGENT-GENERAL'S DESPATCHES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 269, 27 March 1873, Page 5

THE AGENT-GENERAL'S DESPATCHES.

[By Telegraph.] Dr Feafchcrston telegraphs on March 5 that the protest from the Nevada's passenger', regarding the dangers of the last voyage to Auckland, arrived in America just iv time to turn the scale against the Subsidy Bill in the Senate. On the 6th of March, Dr Featherston received the following cablegram from Mr Webb'a London Agents :— "The Subsidy Bill has failed. Make no further engagements, and withdraw advertisements. Inform Featherston of this determination." On the Bth. Dr Featherston telegraphs that the New Zealand mail left San Francisco on the sth, and that as the steamers were to be withdrawn, the Government was advised to stop despatching mails by that route. Subsequently Mr Webb telegraphed that his steamers were sold to a Mr Stackewell, who had again sold them to the Pacific "Railway Company, who intended to continue the service to Honolulu. In a subsequent telegram, Dr Featberston states he believes he can arrange an efficient service from San Francisco to New Zealand and Austialia, provided a subsidy of L 60,000 can be arranged fer by New Zealand and either Victoria or New South Wales. The conditions are said to be favorable, but New Zealand will only have a branch service, as an Australian port will be selected as the terminus. Dr Featherston also states that owing to the dreadful shipping disasters on the British coast this winter, emigrants show a great disinclination to leave during the winter month?.