STEAMER "WONGA WONGA."

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 116, 10 December 1859, Page 5

STEAMER "WONGA WONGA."

o We have been requested by the agents of the above steamer to give publicity to the following letter : — . To Ms Honor the Superintendent, Napier. Sib, — As agents for the "Wonga Wonga," steamer, we deem it incumbent upon us to address you on the subject of steam communication ; as stated in two letters ; from the Colonial Secretary, Auckland, and Mr. H. Blacker, copies of which are published in this day's "Herald" under the heading of "Council Papers." With reference to a statement made in the second paragraph of Mr. Tancred's letter, we beg to observe, that however detrimental to the interests of the owners of the "White Swan," the competition of the "Wonga Wonga" may have proved, it has been beneficial to the public at large of this province ; and as a proof of the desirability of competition in the steam navigation Bervice, we need merely observe that between this Province and Wellington, where that competition exists, the owners of "White Swan" have reduced their rates both of freight and passage money ; while between this Province and Auckland, where the trade is -monopolized by the "White Swan," her charges both for freight and passage are nearly double those of sailing vessels. As we are of opinion that Mr. Tancred's suggestion/that the subsidy of the "Wonga Wonga" be withdrawn, is quite uncalled for, we do not hesitate to call your Honor's attention to the important service the "Wonga Wonga" has rendered this Province, by her punctuality and despatch, long before the "White Swan" dropped her anchor, for the first time, in the waters of Hawke's Bay ; and we would also advert to the extortionate rates which the owners of the "White Swan" would most probably establish, should they have a monopoly of the trade between this Province and that of Wellington. As Mr. Blacker's letter is a commercial one, and comes from an interested party, we would refrain from comment upon it, and would conclude with a recommendation of the "Wonga Wonga" to your favorable consideration, and a respectful suggestion that she be allowed some portion of t the subsidy voted by the Provincial Council at its late session. . We remain, Sir, Yourfl obediently, J. A. Smith & Co. Napier, Nov. 26,1859.