SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7484, 25 February 1885, Page 5

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 24. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited upon the Colonial Treasurer to-day, with regard to the San Francisco Mail Service. It was pointed out that fast steamers left on Saturdays, and there would be a material gain in time if the mail were despatched by them, instead of by Thursday's boat, as at present. Sir Julius replied that one great difficulty in the way of the proposed change, was the invincible objections which persons at Home had to mails closing on Saturday evening; besides, the saving of time even at present would not amount to much, and he saw no reason why, in the regular course of competition, the Thursday boats should not very soon outrival the Saturday ones in point of < speed. The deputation suggested that it i would be advisable to shorten the lengths > of the Pacific voyage by leaving out Hono- < lulu as a port of call. Sir Julius Vogel ex- s pressed the opinion that if the steamers J <

did not call at Honolulu, New Zealand would require to pay an additional sum of £20,000 towards the subsidy to make up for the loss of traffic entailed upon the Company. He was favourable to the steamers calling at Samoa and Tonga as well. The whole subject was under the consideration of Government.