THE PANAMA ROUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1226, 23 April 1864, Page 4

THE PANAMA ROUTE.

The following petition to the Superintendent is in the course of signature in Christchurch, and has already received many influential names:— TO HIS HONOE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CANTEEBUEY. We, the undersigned justices of the peace, freeholders' householders, electors, and other persons resident in the province of Canterbury, have learned with the deepest regret that the mail service by way of Panama, which the colony has so long desired and which has at length been successfully established by Mr. Crosbie Ward, has been abandoned by the General Government. That the cost of this service, under the contract made by Mr. Ward, is to be £63,000 a year. That of this sum £30,000 has been voted by the General Assembly, and a further sum provided for by the English postages, which the Home Government has agreed to give up to the contracting Government. The only ba'.ancc unprovided is therefore from £25,000 to £30,000 a year, which will probably be materially reduced, if not wholly extinguished by contributions from other colonies. That the importance of not abandoning the contract made by Mr. Ward is so urgent that it would be expedient that the province of Canterbury should guarantee the whole cost, and that your Honor the Superintendent should write to the Intercolonial Company by the next mail, to acquaint them that as time does not admit of communication with the other provinces, Canterbury will adopt the contract, and hold the Company against loss to the extent of the contract.

Your petitioners think that in the meantime it would be desirable to negociate with all the southern provinces, with a view to induce them to unite with Canterbury in the proposed guarantee. Your petitioners are fully persuaded that if these steps be taken to prevent the present contract from being abandoned, the General Assembly will, at the next session, ratify the proceedings of the provinces, and confirm and adopt the contract made by Mr. Ward. Your petitioners therefore pray that your Honor will be pleased to recommend to the Provincial Council, now sitting, to make such pecuniary provision as may be necessary to carry this proposal into effect.