ENGLAND VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 35, 2 September 1867, Page 3

ENGLAND VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

The following extract from a letter by Mr Crosbie Ward to the “Lyttelton Times" has been going the round of the newspapers:— The mention of Opara suggests a subject well worth consideration by Xew Zealand and the colonies interested in the connection with, America and Great Britain by this route. It is whether the line to Panama ought not to be superseded by one to San Francisco, almost before the present contract expires. There are two facts, one of nature and one of art, which go to decide in favorjof the change. The first fact is the probable completion within three years of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway, which will connect New York with San Francisco all across the great Continent. I have not the exact plans or figures by mo, but shall be able to gather them for your use in New York. It seems probable, however, that the journey will be made in six days by express trains, and that the passage money across the Continent will be about £25. The other fact is, that the distance from Wellington to San Francisco is 5864 nautical miles, or “ seven hundred miles shorter” than that to Panama; the navigation of the ocean which lies between is equally easy; and there is this great advantage, that Tahiti lies exactly in the course, 2200 miles from Wellington, ready to form a most easy coaling place, and a most pleasant half-way halting station. There is one subject of considerable importance to which Mr Ward has not alluded, and that is the probability of the steamers getting at least return cargoes from. San Francisco, for it will certainly becoms an immense depot for India, China and^Japan goods, from which the greater part of the United States will receive their supplies by the railroad, and from which Australia and New Zealand would be supplied to the extent of the carrying powers of the steamers. The distance from San Francisco to New York by rail will be 3262 miles, and passengers will be supplied with beds, and even hot shaving water if required. On the 31st of last December there were only 1262 miles of the rail road to complete. In April it had been reduced to 1067 miles, as the rate of construction appears to be about 50 miles a month. At this rate of construction the work will be completed, and the railway opened within 18 months. It is a well established fact that the Railway Companies in England derive their profits from the proceeds of excursion trips; and we may yet Eve to see an excursion trip advertised in New Zealand for England via San Francisco and New York.