STEAM TO THE ISLANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 266, 16 November 1870, Page 2

STEAM TO THE ISLANDS.

The proposal made by his Honor the Superintendent, by message to the Council, last night for' subsidising mail-boats to connect with the Fijian Islands and New Caledonia, is one of the most public spirited proposals that has been submitted to public consideration for_ some time. The enormous and increasing value of the islands dotting over the surface of the Pacific, and in particular the rising importance of the Fijian trade, are such as to demand great efforts at th<* hands of Auckland ; and if the spirited proposal of iVr. Gillies is endorsed by the Provincial Council, an enterprise will be originated second only to the San Francisco "mail line in its future commercial acsults to Auckland. The following is the message to the Council, the consideration of which is fixed for to-morrow :—

" The Superintendent desires to call the attention of the Provincial Council to the advantages to be derived from the establishment of steam communication between the Port of Auckland and New Caledonia and the Fijis. The colonisation of those islands is rapidly progressing, and a large trade will "shortly be developed, which Aueklaud, from its position, is well abb*- to command, if enterprise be shown in connecting it with Auckland by means of swift and regular communication. Many of on- New Zealand colonists have settled in those islands, and would gladly retain their connexion with this colony. A steamer leaving Auckland on the arrival of the San Francisco mails could land the mails in Noumea before they were landed in Sydney, and the French Government would, no doubt, c ntribute in aid, as they are, or recently have been advertising for tenders lor a monthly raajj service between Sydney and Noumea. The steamer then could proceed onward to Fiji, delivering her mails there, have time to discharge and load cargo, bring the outward mails, calling at Noumea for their outward mail, and be in time in Auckland to meet the outgoing San Francisco mail. By this means both New Caledonia and Fiji would save at least a fortnight in the course of post each way, and a large trade would spring up which is now being diverted to Ausiraliu.

" The Superintendent believes that though ir, might require a considerable subsidy at first, the line would rapidly become self-sup-porting, whilst the collateral commercial advantages to this province would more than compensate for the expenditure. Such a line would also be a link in fixiug this port as the port of call for the San Francisco Mail Service.

" The Superintendent recommends this matter to the earnest attention of the Council. And if the Council see its way to expending a portion of its revenue in this direction, the Superintendent will be glad to give effect to its wishes. " (Sd.) T. B. GUimbs. " Superintendent's office, " November 15."