NEW MAIL ROUTE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13683, 17 March 1910, Page 7

NEW MAIL ROUTE.

THE TRANS-ANDINE SCHEME.

AUOKXAND OPINIONS.

(special to "the press.-')

AUCKLAND, March 16.

Apropos of tho suggested mail route via Valparaiso, Mr L. G. Reeves, who resided for somo time in South America, said:—"Tlie proposal is of immense iimportance to New Zealand. There is not the slightest doubt that tho suggested service would convey mails and passengers from Auckland to London well within 28 days. At tho present, the roya.'. maili steamers do the trip from London to Buenos Ayrea in 21 days, calling at eight South American ports en route. That time could be considerably reduced, by a direct service, es evidenced by the fact that German steamers only take 13. days to travel from Buenos Ayres to Vigo (Spain), which port is within a day and a half of London. The rail journey from Buenos Ayres to Valparaiso occupies 35 hours, and the final stag 2 from Valparaiso to Auckland (3790 miles) could easily be completed i? te f f* 1^-5 - * llave travelled across the Andes to Chili on two occasions, and I am convinced that the trip would be a great attraction to tourists.

Regarding the port of Valparaiso, I Ji ] r _f leev , e s remarked that a syndicate of French and English firms, with a capital of £4,000,000, intend to convert it into a safe harbour and finstelass port almost immediately. Should the services bo suocessfullv established, Mr Reeves anticipates that it would be -possible to travel from Auckland to London under 27 days. When asked to-day to express an opinion on the proposed opening of a new mail service to England, via South America, Sir James Mills, managing director of the Union Steam Ship Company said ho had not had time to go into the matter, but he doubted very much if mails could be delivered from England to Sydney in 27 days by this route, which was the time suggested. It would not be wise to aim at a high speed, because the cost of running steamers would be too great, and in order to increase their earnings it would •probably be found advisable for the steamers to call at many ports, which of course would consume time.