THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1627, 22 October 1873, Page 3

JNEISON COIOSIST.] The foresight displayed in the attempt to connect New Zealand with the United States of America is at last recognised, even by those' who denounced the undertaking as a piece of costly extravagance originating in the speculative mind of Mr Vogelj and maintained as a solace to his personal vanity. . .... . Whatever may be said against the Webb service, it was certainly the means of opening commercial intercourse to an extent that has been felt beneficially in every part of the C»lony. Actuated by a desire to obtain a footing for .American manufactures in these important Colonies, the concessions in the matter of the duty on wool enabled our producers to export on favorable terms to one of the great markets of the world, and month by month the freight carried steadily increased. Failing to secure a subsidy from the States' Government, more from the jealousy of envious rivals than from any other cause, the enormous loss resulting to the contractors

THE GREY RIVER ARGUS, OCTOBER 22, 1873.

compell.d them at last to withdraw their steamers, and then for the first time Mr Vogel's opponents were coerced into admitting the great benefits his bold scheme had conferred on the country. Careful inquiry showed the falsehood of the asf>ertions as to the great cost of the service, which was proved to be lititle morn than that by Suez, and at last all agreed on the necessity at even an increased expense of renewing the connectiou. ........... That part of Mr Russell's instructions, relating to a new service, has been arranged in a manner to give general satisfaction. It might have been better if arrangements could have been made with Victoria, with which New Zealand has such important relations, but the determination oo the part of that Government to take all and give nothing, shut out the hope of success. The representative :of New South Wales proved to be more amenable to reason, and the agreement for what has been called a " fork service," places the contracting Colonies on a footing of equsility, both as to payment and advantage. As soon as complete arrangements are made, ]2knot steamers will run every fourth week from San Francisco to Kandavau, one of the Fiji's, thence proceeding one voyage direct to New Zealand, and the other to Sydney, a branch steamer being used for the alternate trips. With us the first port of call will be Auckland, and the former Coastal service be .renewed. The gross expense to each Colony is to be L 40,000 a year, less postages, which are expected to reduce our share to L 28,000, and less any subsidies that may ultimately be granted by other Colonies.