The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 862, 16 September 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1871.

It must strike any person on reading the papers relating to the Colonial Treasurer's mission in England that he has been at least successful in getting through a vast amount of work during hia absence of seven months, three of which wore taken up by the journey to and from Europe. During his limited stay in England the record of his doings must exonerate him from the charge of having indulged in inglorious ease. The matters that have chiefly engaged his attention have been the establishment of the Pacific mail service; the negotiation of the loan authorised during the last session of the Assembly ; and the arrangement of terms with Brogden and son, railway contractors, upon which that firm has agreed to construct railways in the colony.

The mail contract negotiations up to the departure of Mr Vogel are generally known. After the provisional contract with Mr Nielson, acting on behalf of Messrs Webb and Holloday, had been concluded, his principals repudiated it on the ground that he had exceeded his authority. A recent contract was entered into by Mr Vogel with Mr Stewart at San Francisco; and finally a third was concluded with Mr "Webb personally, Mr Vogel under the last arrangement exceeding the powers entrusted to him, in offering a subsidy £IO,OOO per annum in excess of what had been authorised by the Assembly. Further difficulty appears to have arisen out of the course adopted by Mr Hall in endeavouring to establish a second service; and there seemed to be a strong inclination on the part of the Australian colonies to subsidise the latter route in preference to Webb's line. In viewof this it must be admitted that Mr Vogel acted justifiably in holding out the hope that the New Zealand Government might yield to a request that some temporary facilities should be afforded Mr Webb to enable him to contend with the opposition which had unexpectedly sprung up in Australia. According to telegrams recently published, we find that the Government has adopted the suggestion, and that the next service will be to Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne, in place of running the steamers down the coast from Auckland to Port Chalmers. This modification (if; it do not lead immediately to the other colonies subsidising the line) will have the probable effect of arresting negotiations for the establishment of a second service; and will offer such facilities to the neighbouring colonies for convenient and rapid intercourse with America and Europe as must ultimately lead to the obligations of New Zealand, in respect to the line, being appreciably lightened.