PANAMA MAIL ROUTE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 2, Issue 56, 16 October 1858, Page 3

PANAMA MAIL ROUTE.

The Empire says : — We understand that immediate steps will be taken by the Government to submit in definite form for the competition of European capitalists the establishment of a line of steamers between Sydney and Panama, and that the subject is likely to be brought authoritatively before the British public by the next mail. A letter from Mr. Wetton addressed to Mr. Parkes, M. P. in reply to inquiries made by him as to the best course to be taken between Panama and Sydney, and as to the description of vessels &c, appears in the Empire of the 10th ult. We give it in full. EANAMA SOTTTS. Royal Mail Office, Sydney, 6th of August, 1858My dear Sir,— Replying to your note of yesterday's date, enclosing a copy of the resolutions you propose to move in the Legislative Assembly this evening, and asking for information in respect to the Panama route, I beg to say that in the opinion of those best acquainted with the Pacific and with ocean steaming, the only practicable course fol steam ships to take proceeding from Sydney to Panama is, in the first place to make a straight course hence to Cook's Straits, calling at Wellington to coal, thence on the arc of the grand circle to Panama! without further stoppage—the return voyage, to Sydney should proceed from Panama to Tahiti, thence nearly due west for some 15 degrees when about a straight line must be made either for Sydney direct or Monganui, New Zealand. With regard to the number of days, you must not fail to bear in mind that for traversing great distances of ocean by steam, a high rate of speed is found to be inconsistent with regularity, or vice versa — if, as I take it to be, precise regularity is of more importance than extreme Bpeed, I am clearly of opinion that sixty days should be allowed for the through passage' from Sydney to Southampton. The size of the vessels that should be built for the Panama service cannot be less than 1800 tons to carry sufficient coal for the voyage. Engines 400 horse power with very great boiler space, say equal to boilers usually fitted to engines of 500 to 600 horse power, and with furnaces constructed with special reference to the consumption of Colonial coal— such vessel should, accommodate' with comfort, if properly constructed, 100 first-class, and from 100 to 300 steerage passengers. Further, replying to your enquiry as to whether the Royal Mail Company would, in my opinion, be willing to undertake the Panama line — my impression is that the Directors would do so if the colonies are prepared to pay such a subsidy which they as prudent merchants and careful trustees would consider a fair remuneration for the services to be perfomed. ; •■«•■' I may say that with the experience the company have lately acquired of the enormous expenses and insufficient revenue of an Australian steam line^ the small number of passengers travelling between Europe and Australia, atnd the low rates of gold freight^ it-is plain to the directors, as it must be to all business men, that a far larger subsidy than £60,000 per annum would be required to carry on the Pacific service with any prospect of a successful result. Yours faithfully, Champion Wetton. Henry Parkes, Esq., M.i\ &c., &c.j &cYou may make any use you please of this communication. Another letter from the same gentleman is also important, as confirming the report that the European and Australian Royal Mail Company is closing its affairs. It appears further that the' postal contract has passed entirely out of their hands, and that a provisional agreement has been entered into with the Royal Mail (West India) Company to continue the postal line for the nextsix months. The letter is as follows : — Royal Mail Office, Sydney, 17th August, 1858. Sir, — I beg to acquaint you for the information of the public, that I have received advices by the R.M.S. "European," to the effect that her Majes» ty's Government have terminated the postal, con* tract with the European and Australian Royal Mail Company, and that an arrangement has been entered into with the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company to carry on the service for six months, dating from the Ist of July. I am, Sir, ■ • ' Your obedient Servant, ■ Champion Wetton, Superintendent.