AUCKLAND-SYDNEY SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 10

AUCKLAND-SYDNEY SERVICE.

DEMAND FOR EASTER BOATS.

QUESTION OF COST.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, at "its monthly meeting, further discussed' the question ol the Auckland-Sydney steamer service.

A letter was received from the general manager of .the Union Company (Mr. C. Hnldsworthj, stating that a three days' voyage from Sydney to Auckland could only be undertaken by a steamer equal -to ajspeed of-_l9 knots per-hour.- This was" an unusually high speed" lor an ocean-going vessel, and there were probably less than 30 steamers in tbe. world which could undertake the .Sydney Auckland run under these conditions. The .c on tract., speed for the P. and O. Orient Company and Messageries Maritirues (mail contract) was 15 knots, and these services-Tvere heavily subsidised by the British, American, and French Governments. Although from a passenger standpoint it was always an advantage to shorteu a voyage, the Chamber's proposal would not be or service from a postal standpoint, as the mail would not reach Auckland before Saturday afternoon, which would be too late to be of service locally, whilst the Southern portion could not be sent on until Sunday night. The average speed of the Union Company's -steamer between Auckland and Sydney was equal to that of its other intercolonial ships.

Mr. Leo. Myers, president of the chamber, referred to the discussion which bad taken place at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce relative to the Sydney service, and said it appeared to him that the Wellington Chamber had taken up a rather provincial attitude. Wellington's claim to a satisfactory service no one would dispute and admittedly it bad ' something of a geographical advantage, being some 40 miles nearer Sydney than Auckland. In UTging that the Auckland connection should be diverted to Wellington, however, a proposition was being I made which could not for one motaent be entertained. The Auckland sendee had been established in 1840, and had grown from very small to very great dimensions. Personally, however, he did not think the Wellington Chamber's resolution was to he taken seriously. While admitting the force of the argument contained in the Union Company's letter, he thought they should strongly -urge-that-the mail steamers from Sydney should arrive regularly on Sunday mornings at Auckland, and on Wednesday mornings at Wellington. Mr. G. L. Peacocke suggested that inquiry be made as to what extra cost would be involved, in order that, if necessary, a request might be made for a subsidy. Mr. G. Elliott doubted if much advantage would accrue from a three days' service but a three and a-half days' service was necessary.

- - -Mr. J-. H. Upton said there were many contingencies to be provided for in a 1200-miles' journey, and to ask for a three or three and a-half days' service might be considered exacting. Mr. J. M. Mennie said that in the days of the "Frisco mail boats, a three and a-half days' service bad been regularly maintained.

Mr. G. Beattie suggested that a more expeditions service, approximately three and a-half days, should t>e. asKed for, and a resolution to this effect was carried.