STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH BRITAIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 10 July 1873, Page 5

STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH BRITAIN.

The following letter appears among the correspondence with the Home Agent, laid on the table of the Provincial Council : — " Glasgow, March 3, 1873. " Dear Sir, — I have your letter in reference to the communication addressed to you by his Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Otago, on the subject of a steam service between England and New Zealand. I much regret now that it is impossible for me to entertain any proposition for the establishment of such a line of steamers — the present enormous cost of construction being quite prohibitory to an enterprise of this character. When Mr Dillon Bell and Dr Featherston were in England together, about two years ago, I spoke to them on this subject, and then I was prepared, in conjunction with my friend Mr Denny (who has built for and is associated with me in most of our steamers), to have taken up and carried through, on very reasonable conditions, a monthly line of steamers to New Zealand via the Cape, of a size to obviate the necessity of coaling on the passage, and of such power as to have brought the voyage under fifty days. Mr Bell seemed to me willingto entertain and encourage such an undertaking, but Dr Featherston would listen to nothing said in favor of the route proposed as against the then contemplated service via San Francisco since carried out, or I should rather say attempted but failed to be carried out. At that time the cast of building was betweent 60 and 70 per cent, less that it is now, and the vessels could have been constructed in twelve months, while now, even where prices what prudence would warrant to be given, no first-class builder could deliver steamers of size and power required in less than two years from date of orde. Mr Macandrew is quite right as to the stimulus to emigration to New Zealand from this country such a mode of conveyance would ensure — a stimulus which nothing else will afford, and without which the great object of the New Zealand Government will never be fully attained : this, apart from the great comfort and convenience of the route over any other to the general class of New Zealand passengers and the commercial advantage afforded by the rapid conveyance of cargoes to and from. It could not, however, be carried out without a subsidy, though this, to the extent need, would be well-spent money, and in my opinion amply repaid in the benefits secured. — I am, &c, "Jas. Galbbaith. "Mr John Auld, Edinburgh."