TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1890.

Evening Post, Volume XL, Issue 91, 14 October 1890, Page 2

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1890.

THE PORT OF CALL. «. Mr. Mitchelson is evidently determined to maintain Auckland as the port of call for the San Francisco mail, and is not very partioular aa to what he may say or do to seoure that objeot. The statement which he made to the deputation from the Auckland Chamber of Commeroe yesterday cannot be reconciled with the truth. There would not probably bt any necessity for either inoreasrog the time allowed for the voyage or adding to the subsidy, if Wellington were aubatitutad for Auckland as the Dort of call. Mr. Mitchelson has himself stated that the difference of distance between Auckland and San Franoiaoo and Wellington and the same place is U66 miles, but other authorities diffor from him, and we believe that the real difference is very muoh less. On suoh a voyago, however, a few miles of distance is not the only consideration on whioh time depends; and we believo that a majority of the experts who know the two courses best, are deoidedly of opinion that the voyage to Wellington can be made in even lesß time than the voyage to Auckland. When bound for Auokland the coast is approaohed far north of the port, and it is somewhat diffionlt navigation down the ooast line, owing to the prevalence of fogs at certain seasons, and other causes. Time is lost on this part of the run. Coming to Wellington, vessels have a olear run until Penoarrow light is seen, and full speed can bo maintained the whole way. The prevailing winds are also more generally favourable for Wellington than for Auokland. At the most, the difference in time between Auokland and Wellington would be very slight, and wonld probably vary as between the two with the season of the year. As to the continuation of the Toyage to Sydney, however, there is no question as between Wellington and Auckland. From Auckland the steamer has to retrace her steps up the coast to round the North Cape before she heads for Sydney at all, while from Wellington her course lies direot through the Strait to her destination. What the company would save on the trip between New Zealand and Australia would more than compemate for the small quantity of extra coal which might possibly, according to Mr. Mitchelson's contention, be required to make as good time to Wellington as to Auokland from San Franoisco. There can, we think, be no doubt whatever that m regards cargo, the mail boats would do much better with Wellington as their port of call than with Auckland. Mr. Mitchblson lays great stress on the Island trade, but really we do not see what that has to do with tho question. The mail requirements of the Islands are not of ad exigent oharacter, and New Zealand certainly does not maintain the San Franoisoo service for the benefit of tho Islands, or the Island traders. Wellington, as the port of call, would practically serve their purposes as well as Auokland, and possibly its selection wonld tend to enlarge and extend their trade. At present the mail stoamera only call off Samoa, and they do not oarry any appreciable amount of oargo to or from even Samoa. The six or seven hours to be saved to the rest of tho colony in delivery of mails, whioh Mr. Mitchblson treats so airily as quite a minor matter, is undoubtedly of much greater importance to this colony than the convenience of those oonneoted with the Islands. We really do not attaoh very much importance to this port of call question, but we objeot to Ministerial misrepresentations, made with a view to prejudicing the ultimate decision. That Wellington has no favour to expect from the present Government, we of course well know, and we are not at all surprised that in this, as in many other matters, it is not to bo accorded even fair play »t the h*nds of the Poatmtater-Qeoeral and his colleagues.