THE MAIL SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10901, 4 November 1898, Page 5

THE MAIL SERVICES.

REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OP THE

HOUSE. [BT TEIiEGRArn.— ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. The Extension of Commerce Committee's report on the an Francisco and Vancouver mail services has been laid on the table. They find that delays in delivery have been owing in some part to dilatoriness, but chiefly to two tidal harbours, and the Manukau bar. To enable opportunity for reply to inward correspondence as far south as Invepcargill, would' necessitate an interval between the arrival and departure of eight days at Auckland, instead of four as at present, and this could only be attained by steamers making the passage in 17 days, as against 19 days under the present contract. The committee recommend that negotiations be entered into with the view to a contract for seven years, so as to induce steamshipowners to procure the class of vessels necessary to permit of a smarter service being provided. In the event of cessation of the Vancouver service not unprobable event—five steamers instead of six, as at present on the dual routes, would suffice, by the arrival of the Invercargill mail at Dunedin over night, and its despatch, so that the steamer might leave Lyttelton by five or half-past five p.m., reach Wellington at eight a.m., and arrive at Auckland the following morning. A return Southward connection on the same line, is equally desirable. By the arrival of every alternate steamer at Wellington, as the first port of call, 12 hours would be saved, both inward and outwards. Although Auckland would be placed at a disadvantage, yet, as by far the larger portion of the population would benefit, your committee recommends this course for such alternate service.