LATEST TELEGRAMS

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2930, 31 May 1870, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS

WEhLixaToy, May 30 rp r , , J J P'tQ. A very large deputation , the Postmaster-General to ° a the views of the Government' o ' rta ' a resolutions passed at a public' about the Californian service ’ a} 8 Pearce presented the resolution, other papers, and made a feu- re m a S? the substance of which was, lAt ft ’ deputation were not hostile to the C vernment, nor mixed up with condemned the Government for ente ing into the contract with Hall n pledged to support any Company ’S Postmaster-General, in reply, tTaid h was glad of an opportunity of explain 6 ing a subject about which there had been much misrepresentation contract with Hall would cost ii-tle or nothing, if the reduced cost of the S uei service be taken into account. He was anxious to enter into the contract because there was reason to suppose that otherwise the line would go by Fiji and that New Zealand would be only a branch ; the contract, at any rate, could not be a loss. The first service was a success. It was not his fault that the vessel was crowded. Mr Collie called on him at Auckland, and he understood that in San Francisco there was a fight going on between Webb and Hall, the latter being friendly to Halliday, Bremar, and Co.; also, that Webb wanted to dispose of vessels which the Pacific Railway had put out of employment. From Honolulu Hall wrote favourably, and it was quite possible he had already arranged with Webb or Halliday subject to the approval of the Government. Hall’s contract was so stringent that he could do nothing without the consent of the Government. The Postmaster-General did not wish to be sanguine, and would say no more than that it was quite possible a satisfactory arrangement had been made. He congratulated the deputation on their public spirit, but was not sure that the action taken was not injurious ; first, because it was a pity that the colony should be mixed up with the local jealousies of Melbourne and Sydney; secondly, Mr Collie had been led to expect that his large demand was reasonable, whilst he (the Postmaster-General) had assured Hr Collie that he could not expect to get such an amount, even if Hall’s contract broke down. Touching the opinion of the Government, they looked on securing a direct service as the most important, the port of call being a secondary matter. At present, they are quite content with Hall's contract, but would, if allowed, like to see the steamers, after touching at Auckland, proceed to Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, with branch steamers from Manukau to Melbourne and Sydney. The Port Chalmers’ dock would soon be completed, This would be a thoroughly colonial service, and the Government were determined to have nothing to do with any service which did not place New Zealand on the direct route. H the route was to be by Fiji let some other colony arrange it. He had tried at Sydney to persuade the contractor to proceed from Auckland to We.lington, Lyttelton, and Otago, and he was sure that was the best route. He presumed that Wellington would n °i object to vessels going on to Lyttelton, instead of to Melbourne. The Government could not agree with the resolution that it was of the high oß importance that the route should be to Melbourne, and would not invite the co-operation of Melbourne to prejudice the present contract, as it would no consent to a subsidy such as - r Collie asked. If Hall’s broke down he would do his best, but he believe the United States would stipulate lor Fiji; the New Zealand Government would, however, adhere to the direc route. Mr Pearce thanked the l of master-General for his informationHe was not authorised to speak tor ■ whole deputation, but though might confidently say they woul highly pleased with the -team calling first at Auckland, and t lO ‘ other New Zealand ports. Lier * not bound to Mr Collie, au l prepared to insist upou a direct roi