FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 104, 29 October 1932, Page 23

FIFTY YEARS AGO

It is fifty years ago tliis week since an advertisement was placed in "The Post" calling for tenders for a direct passenger and mail steamship service between England and New Zealand. The following were among the terms laid down for the contract: —The service was to be once every calendar month, each way, commencing in April, ISS:i. from London, and from New Zealand in July, to continue for three years; the ships were to bo not less "than 3000 tons gross; the contractor was to have the option of calling first at, or leaving finally from any of .the four main Xew Zealand ports, and was to be allowed to call at as many of the ports as desired in between arriving and departing; the voyage was to be performed each way in not more than ]200 hours; passengers were, to be carried at rates not exceeding £30 for second class and £lo for thin! class; Government immigrants were to be carried for not. more- than £15; cargo for the Xew Zealand Government was to be carried for 24s per ton (weight), and 30s per ton (measurement); the probable quantity of Government cargo would be 14,000 tons yearly, and the number of immigrants 2500 per annum; the vessels were to be- fitted with refrigerating machinery and a mail locker"; the vessels wore to be exempt from the payment of light, and harbour dues at Xew Zealand norts.

After the advertisement appeared "The Post" stated that it was thought that there would be a large numbor"of competitors willing to undertake, the spi-vice. It t.-;is probable that, in addition to the Union Steam Ship Company and the New Zealand Shmpin" Company. Hie tenderers w ,,,i|,| ;,"

elude the. Shaw Snvill, and Albion Company, ,-uid possibly Messrs. Sloman and Co., of Hamburg, "whose pioneer boat, the Sorrento, will be here shortly, thp Messagories Maritime* Messrs. Money, "wigram, and Co., the company then carrying on the Torres Strait mail service, and other shipnwning firms of note. It was expect - ed that the likelihood of the Panama Canal being completed in a fow years might materially influence tenderer? '•as tin* contractor who should be in possession n f Ihe. fi>ld at the. (imp the canal is opened would manifestly enjoy n vast advantage at, the outset of a new trade."