F.—No. 5.

10

REPORT OP THE SELECT COMMITTEE

to carry the steamers into that part of the Pacific Ocean where the trade winds are regularly established throughout the year. J With reference to the saving of distance which would result from making the Bay of Islands the port of call instead of Auckland, I estimate it to be about 120 miles. Assuming Melbourne to be the port of arrival and departure, the port of call for New Zealand would naturally be Wellington, and the total distance to San Francisco from Melbourne would be 7480 miles, being an increase of 290 miles over the route to Sydney via Wellington. After carefully considering the question generally from a nautical point of view, I am of opinion that the most advantageous route for an Ocean Postal Service to San Francisco, for the benefit of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, would be with Sydney as the port of arrival and departure (until there are facilities in Wellington for the docking accommodation of large ships), the vessels calling at Wellington and Tahiti en route, and I calculate that the voyage would be easily accomplished— with vessels of 2,500 tons, from Sydney to Wellington, 4 days ; Wellington to Tahiti, 8 days ■ and Tahiti to San Francisco, 13 days; total, 25 days. Add to this, stoppages of 2 days, and the time occupied in going from San Francisco to New York, 6 days, and by Cunard's line, from New York to Liverpool, 10 days, we place Sydney within 43 days'postal communication with England, and Wellington within 38 days. Gr. A. Woods Colonial Marine Surveyor.

On G-eeat Circle eoe Distance.—Sydney to San Peancisco. Sydney ... Lat. 33° 51' 42" S., Long. 151° 14' E. San Prancisco, Lat. 37° 48' 30" N, Long. 122° 24' W. Lat. 33° 52' = 123° 52' Co. Lat. + 37° 48' == 52° 12' Co. Lat. Long. 151° 14' E. to Long. 122° 24' W. = i diff. Long. 43° 11'. i diff. Long. 43° 11' = Sin. 9-8352688 Sin. 2 ... ... 19-6705376 Co. Lat. Sin. ... 99192542 Co. Lat. Sin. ... 98977123 2)39-4875041 19-7437520 ... 19-7437520 | diff. Co. Lat. Sin. 9-7674746 43° 26'09" Tang. ... 9'9762774 ... Sin. 9-8372991 53° 43'41" ... Sin. 9-9064529 Distance, 6,447 miles = 107° 27' 22" G-ItEAT ClECLE FOE COTJESE.—SYDNEY TO SAN PEANCISCO. (See Diagram Wo. 1.) 107° 27'22" ... 9-9795243 0-0204757 0-0204757 86° 22'... 99991262 9-9991262 52° 12'... 9-8977123 123° 52'... 9-9192542 N. 55° 45' E. ... 9-9173142 S. 60° 18' W. ... 9-9388561 Course from Course from Sydney to San Prancisco. San Prancisco to Sydney. Lat. 33° 52' Sin. ... 97460 37° 48'.. 97874 55° 45'Tang. ...10-1669 60° 18'... 0-2438 Diff. Long. 39° 18'Tang. ... 9'9129 47° 04'... 10-0312 Long. Sydney 151° 14' E. 122° 24' 190° 32' — 360° = 169° 28' W. 169° 28' W. Long, of point where the great Circle cuts the Equator. Sin. of course ... 9-9388561 Sin. of Lat. ... 9'8977123 Prom Equator to either place, 43° 21' ... 9-8365684 Course.