POSTAL.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 763, 14 January 1871, Page 2

POSTAL.

(From the Rohart Town Mercury, December 10). ._- Another new proposal, which like the Cape route has been lying in abeyance, has been resuscitated. Messrs Eldred and Spence, of Sydney, have written to the Government of Queensland, reminding that Government that; in December last, the writers had, on the part of the Britishludia Steam Navigation Company, some negotiations with that Government respecting the establishment of a postal service with Batavia and Singapore, and thence with Europe, via Torres Straits ; and Messrs Eldred and Spence, the matter having then come to a termination because of various political changes and difficulties, now suggest a scheme which, they think, should meet favorable consideration, because of the facilities of communication it would afford with all the other colonies, giving Queensland the full advantages of a Torres Straits line, for a very moderate contribution to the general subsidy. The proposal proceeds, says the " Brisbane Courier," from a Steam Navigation Company that has been in existence for the last fourteen years, and is working eleven different lines in the Indian and Chiuese Seas, and the Per-ian Gulf, with a fleet of twenty-three vessels, more than half of which exceed a thousand cons in burden. The proposal is to start a steamer of about 1000 tons to begin with, from Singapore every month, making the round of Australia thus:— One month the vessel would leave Singapore for Batavia, proceeding thence to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Bovven, Somerset", Hurt Darwin, Timr-Kuepang, and Batavia, returning thence to Singapore; and so on, taking different routes every mouth. By this means, the proposal says, the Colonies would be connected with India, Java, China, and each other monthly, and at Singapore with the weekly lines to and from Europe. The subsidy asked from Queensland is £OOOO. What contribution would be expected from each of the other Colonies is not stated ; but it is added the proposal would have to be carried out by the united action of the whole. Such a scheme would be of special advantage to Queensland, which would be the first and last port of call. Submarine telegraphy will likely soon follow this route, it' which case steam communication may be looked on as a necessity and as a fitting concomitant. Besides this, Australia appears destinei to be yet the, emporium of the islands of the Indian Archipelago and of Southern Aeia, which, though possessing productive land, and capable ol supplying an unlimited trade, are inhabited by people destitute of the necessary enterprise and knowledge by which to avail themselves of their natural ndvautages. It is to be presumed the proposal will be submitted to the

other colonies, though it would not appear to have reached the Government of Victoria whet, the subject of postal communication was under discussion in the Assembly on Wednesday night; nor have we heard of any communication having been, as yet, made with Tasmania.