ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1743, 6 March 1874, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL

VIA SAN FRANCISCO. « : — | ANGLO- AUSTRALIAN PRESS TELEGRAPH AGENCY.] Auckland, March 4. Referring to the new Australian line of steamers, the Alta California says the pioneer vessel of the new line of steamers arrived about the time H. H. Hall arrived overland from the east. Mr Hall expresses the utmost confidence in the success of the enterprise, as the resources of the company are ample, and he declares if the publiG are not satisfied, and the line should not succeed, the fault would not be his. He has been busy while here in the interests of the company, and is confident that his negotiations with the railway company will lead to a fast train from San Francisco from New York carrying Australian passengers and mails. He has succeeded in getting specie over this line, and hopes to be able to add a good deal of fast freight when the negotiation is completed. Hall says the first new Clyde built iron screw steamship for this line willbe launched in August, and will arrive here about January, 1875. Ho is already negotiating for a fortnightly service to be conducted by four American and four English ships. The company is to be two- thirds American, that proportion of stock being owned by American capitalists. These vessels will be 3020 tons each, and built very much on the plan of the ships of the White Star Line. The machinery is of the latest and most improved pattern. They are supplied with three compound engines, each two of low and one of high pressure, with separate condensers, so that in case of an accident to one, two remain in ( woflnmr nrrlnr. Thn aln'na nrn om.ii'nnfnnd

14 knots an hour sea-speed loaded, while the contract calls only for 12 knots. The Macgregor was fitted up and repaired while here at a cost of 7000dol. A complimentary dinner was given at Delmoncio's, New York, by R. W. Cameron, the eminent Australian shipper, to the Hon. Saul Samuels and H. H. Hall. The chairman remarked that Mr Samuels was the only representative of the line who had ever visited New York in a public capacity. He said the Webb line failed simply for want of support from the American Government. He complimented the Governments of New Zealand and New South Wales on their liberality, and predicted the happiest result. The Chairman regretted the United States had not taken the initiative in the matter, but the enterprise would now receive every encouragement from that country. The health of Samuels and Hall was drunk. Parkes Gcodwin, in replying to the "Press," spoke very favorably of the Press of New Zealand. New York. 10,000 dollars were paid for holding a post mortem examination on the Siamese Twins. The death of Dr Livingston is doubted. Auckland, March 4. The Tartar sailed for Sydney at 4 p.m. The Ladybird has arrived. She leaves to-morrow night with the mails for the South. A deputation waited on Mr Hall at Kandavau, urging the desirability of constituting Levuka a port of call for the new service, and offered to guarantee Hall a trade of L 20,000 a year. [EXTRACTS FROM EUROPEAN MAIL.] The directors of the Union Bank of Australia have declared a dividend of 35s a share, being 7 per cent for the halfyear. Subscriptions are invited by the Agents for the New Zealand Loan for L 500 ,000 4£ per cent, debentures, having not less than five nor more than thirty years to run; price of issue fixed at 8 per cent.; interest remaining as from February Ist. J. L. Wright, of Birmingham, has received a letter from the Minister of Immigration, New Zealand, offering to grant passages to a selected number of agricultural laborers, and inviting Mr Arch to visit New Zealand. Commander Stirling, of the Clio, has arrived at Spithead. His Majesty of Austria has conferred on Dr Featherston the Commander's Cross of the Imperial Order of Francis Joseph." ■ ... During January, 10 ships left with immigrants for New Zealand. 11 were to leave in February. About 2500 souls are despatched per month. The Kent Agricultural Laborers Union sent 200 adults per William Davie for Otago, and 75 in the Weemington for Wellington. Previous to their departure, a grand entertainment was given, at which 1600 persons were present. SHIPPING. Sailed— January 17, Dorette, for Auckland, with 280 immigrants ; December 14, Jubilee, for Canterbury; Auringa, Portland, Rakaia, and the City of Glasgow (from Glasgow), for Nelson ; John Bull, for Otago ; William Davie, Atrato, City of Dunediu, for Wellington ; Schiehallion, Undine, Mallard, for Canterbury. Off Plymouth, Dec. 29 : Portland and Rakaia. Passed Dovei, Jan. 11 : Scimitar, for Otago. Passed Plymouth, Dec. 24 : Woodlark. Off Dartmouth, Dec. 24: Somersetshire, steamer, from Melbourne to London. She had put into Valparaiso for supplies. She ship Splendid, from New York, for Dunedin, sprung a leak and returned to port.