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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9161, 17 September 1888, Page 4

The intelligence conveyed in our American letter, that the Postmaster-General of the United States lias sanctioned a grant of 50,000 dollars, or £10.000 a year, in aid of the San Francisco Service, and that the offer has been accepted by the Premier of New Zealand, will come as a surprise—pleasant or otherwise—to the people of. New Zealand. It must be admitted that. Sir Harry has kept his counsel well, although such a crushing blow to those who were dancing a fandango over the defeat of the service might have Deen modestly and in a deprecating sort or way referred to before the rising oi the House without causing any of those dangerous ebullitions of feeling or which Ministers are so wary. However, the deed is done, and there is no use in idle lamentation, tut no doubt the opponents of the service have already learned, from the movements of public feeling in Australia, that their famous resolutions had given victory to the foe. Indeed, we feel in the spirit for calling on the people ot Auckland to give a cordial vote ot thanks to those members who precipitated the question in the House, and who by passing resolutions condemnatory of the service :ootc the most effectual means of all fcr placing it on a solid foundation. They have deserved well of their couitry, and their action should be had h everlasting remembrance ; and covpled with this expression of gratitude tiere should be offered a vote of condolence, more

particularly to the Wellington Post, as the exponent of the sentiments of an essentially parochial community. That journal, it will be recollected, took as the principal and almost only basis 0 its jubilation over the passage of the anti-San _ Francisco service resolutions, the disappointment and chagrin which would be felt at Auckland We should be sorry to think that in doing so it represented the true feelings of the better class of the people of the metropolis indeed some of the other journals expressed in a kindly and sympathetic way a regret that the suppression of the service would be such a disappointment in the Northern city. The grant of such an annual sum, coupled with the spirit which has been evoked in Australia, must be regarded as settling the question of the continuation of the service ; anil now we can understand what was meant by the Messrs. Spreckles, when it was announced a few weeks ago that they had set about the building" of two IS-knot boats of a superior class for carrying on the service. It is not Auckland alone that is to be congratulated on this fortunate turn of events. The service is geographically the shortest, politically the most important, and commercially the most interesting of all the lines of mail communication possible with the mother country ; and now that through the helpful aid of its jealous opponents, its friends have been roused to rally around it, we expect to see it shortly the recipient of commendation and congratulation from all quarters. As a cargo-carrying service the Direct steamers are deserving of all praise, and it- is to be hoped that having made a bold attempt and failed to crush the rival service they will cease to tight any longer against geography in the attempt to carry fast mails, 'and will apply their undivided attention to their legitimate business, and, cutting down their coal bills, continue to carry frozen mutton and things as efficiently and as cheaply as they possibly can. i