STEAM SERVICE WITH ENGLAND.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3525, 25 October 1882, Page 4

STEAM SERVICE WITH ENGLAND.

(BY TELEGBArH.) Wellington, October -25. The Post-master-General supplies the following information.: — As it is found that the arrangements necessary to carry out the original intention of the Government to call for tenders in the Anstralaaian colonies as well as in London for the above service would cause a serious loss of time, and postpone the initiation of the service indefinitely, it has been determined that only the AgentGeneral for New Zealand in London shall call for aDd receive tenders. Tbis decision is made public in order that intending tenderers in the colonies may make their arrangements accordingly. The following is an outline of the services required: — 1. The service to be once every calendar month each way, commencing in April, 1883, from London, and from New Zealand in July, and to continue for three years. 2. The vessels employed to be not less than 3000 tons gross tonnage. 3. The contractor to have the option on each voyage of making Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, or Port Chalmers the first port of arrival in New Zealand and the last port of departure, with liberty to call before departure at as many of the ports as the contractor may think fit. 4. The service to be performed each way within 1200 hours. 5. Passengers to be carried at rates not exceeding tbe following :—Second class, £30 ; third class, £15. Government immigrants at rates not exceeding tbe following :—Statute adults, £15 • children above one year old and under twelve years, £9 ; children under one year old, free. Cargo for the New Zealand Government, ordinary dead weight at 24s per ton ; ordinary measurement, 30s per ton. 6. A preference will be given to tbe contractor for the carriage of Government immigrants and cargo. The probable quantity of Government cargo per year will be about 14,000 tons, and the number of Government immigrants about 2500 per annum. No absolute guarantee as to quantity of cargo or number of immigrants will bo given. 7. All the vessels to be fitted with approved refrigerating machinery for the freezing of meat and dairy produce, and each vessel to be provided witli a fire proof and vermin proof locker for tbe safe custody of mails.

8. The vessels employed will be exempt from the payment of light and harbor dues at New Zealand ports. The above particulars are given without prejudice to a revision or alteration of the terms and conditions ot contract which may be finally issued by the AgentG.neral, from whom further particulars can be obtained.