AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 255, 3 November 1897, Page 2

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON.

MAIL AND SOUTH SEA SERVICE.

A meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board was held in committee last evening to discuss the question of how best to counteract the agitation in Wellington to have that port made the place of call for the San Francisco mail and South Sea Island services. Mr M. Niccol presided m the absence of Mr W. J. Napier. After discussion it was resolved : " That letters be written to Messrs Huddart, Parker and Co., the Union S.S. Company, Spreckles. and Company, the Messageries Maritimes Company, the Nippon Ynsen Kaisha, the Nortn German Lloyds, and other steamship companies, pointing out the advantages and attractions of Auckland as a port, and offering : (1) The use of graving docks to mail steamers on the same terms as those .allowed to ships of war; (2) the services of pilots and harbour master for mail steamers free ; (3) special favourable rates for storage and transhipment of cargo ; (4) to guarantee that first-class berths shall be reserved for mail steamers and every facility for rapid discharge." It was also decided that the Government be informed that the Board was offering these special advantages to mail steamers, and that the Government be requested to notify the fact in the conditions of mail services; also that a circular letter be addressed to all members of Parliament (both Houses) representing the Auckland provincial district, impressing on them the importance of their using every exertion to retain Auckland as the port of call for mail steamers. In reference to the South Sea Island trade, the Board decided to communicate with the Union S.S. Company for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are satisfied with the nature and extent of the appliances and conveniences provided for the Island steamers at this port, and if not, that they be asked to indicate what improvements are in their opinion necessary. It was also decided that the Board cooperate with the City Council and Chamber of Commerce with the object of calling a public meeting of citizens on the subject of the mail contracts, the Mayor to be asked to convene such public meeting. Messrs Napier, Niccol and Bell were appointed a sub-committee to promote the objects aimed at in the foregoing resolutions, and on the Board resuming the resolutions were confirmed.