THE 'FRISCO MAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 210, 5 September 1899, Page 5

THE 'FRISCO MAIL.

A FASTER SERVICE PROPOSED. 1

"LONDON TO NEW ZEALAND IN 26

DAYS."

Mr J. H. Witheford, who has always taken a keen interest in the 'Frisco mail service to the colony,\and has for some time past been in communication Avith Mr J. D. Spreckels, of the Oceanic Steamship Co., recently received from that gentleman some important information with reference to the improved service which is to be secured by the steamers now in course of consitruction.MT Witheford immediately on receiving this information addressed a letter' to the Premier, and also brought the matter under the notice of the Auckland Harbour Board this afternoon. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr Witheford for the manner in which he has advanced the interests of the port in this as well as dn other public matters.

The letter to the Premier, which Mr Witheford read to the Board to-day, is as follows: —

"Auckland, August 31st, 1899.—Dear Mr Seddon, —I have received by^tbfe. San Francisco mail a satisfactai^i£fe-\ ply to suggestions made by> me tw.iihe Oceanic Company. I deejnX 'as necessary before the colonfes-'ifsfi'^e to support a service to know what that service is capable of. I am further of opinion that to put the Pacific line on an improved basis and ensure its efficiency and permanency we must ~..-• have the time fixed five or sisf^ears,. ' :. so that no tempting offer'from'other parts can lose us the regular steamers; and that in the event of "war and the closing of the Suez Canal we have the most speedy and best equipped ~«** vessels it is possible to procure,. con« .y:> necting with the American .<cbndnent. ''C"This being 5000 miles nearer than ■'': any European port, in war tijne itwould lessen the ocean risks, anil the English fleet would protect the Ailantic liners, though possibly unable to i spare .the necessary vessels on the extreme length of the Eastern route. If you approved of arranging a serviceon the following lines, it would be practicable:—

"New steamers of not less than 6000 tons, doing the trip at an average speed of not less than 16 knots, delivering London mails in New Zealand in 26 clays 7 hours, and 27* days from New Zealand to London. These steamers will be ready, I understand to starß running: in time for the Paris Exhibition. I have for some years been trying to induce the American companies (both steamer and railway) t - to 'unite in expediting the transport of mails. I have now much pleasure in laying before you the following schedule for a 21 days' service which the Oceanic Company have indicated their satisfaction with, provided sre give them reasonable remunerations . 's? The Oceanic Company have alway£ pointed out that a really first-cips service would require substantial recognition from the Colonial Governments in /view of the greatly increased cost of operating such a service. Probably your Government will take the initiative in making arrangements with the other colonies, whereby a lump sum could be offered in, ihe neighbourhood of - £ 30,000 - anniially, for a period of 5 to 7 $t*rs. "I am not personally or pecuniarily interested in any shipping company I have given prominence to the Oceanic Company simply because under; present conditions the service under the American flag may prove very, advantageous. Their punctual deliverance of mails hitherto is also in. their favour. <

"The Oceanic Company have intimated their desire to promote the trade of the colonies and the islands of the Pacific as far as lies in their powen, and they have assured me that the new, steamers will have plenty of capacity for ..freight on their return trips.—l am, yours sincerel3 r, J. H. Witheford."-