THE 'FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11869, 22 January 1902, Page 5

THE 'FRISCO MAIL SERVICE.

THE AMERICAN PROPOSALS. AUSTRALIAN, PRESS COMMENTS. By Telegraph.— Association—Copyright Sydney, January 21. The Sydney Morning Herald says th free , trade capital of a free trade State does not regard the American Senate's proposec vote for the extension of the Pacific trade with either indignation or dismay. These ships that visit our shores, the Herald says, will not come or go empty, and it is not our theory, at all events, that the State loses by external commerce. The point is that they cannot run their steamers without doing us benefit and cultivating trade. The Federal Postmaster-General will prob ably agree to pay poundage on Australian mails sent via San Francisco, but whethei he will go further in the direction invited by Mr. Spreckels is open to strong doubt. Melbourne, January 21. The Age, commenting on Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Co.'s letter, says any serious consideration of Mr. Spreckels' proposals by the Commonwealth is hardly likely, for the best of all reasons, because they would interfere with the interests of the Australasian mercantile marine. The desire is just as strong here as in America to give preference to locally-owned steamers. That the Pacific waterway of the future is to be a matter of considerable importance is fully recognised in America. To Australasia it is equally, if not more, important that the carrying trade should be.retained in British hands. To subsidise a foreigner would be a lamentable error. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES OF THE STEAMERS. THE GOVERNMENT REPORT. The latest runs of the San Francisco mail steamers Sonoma, and Sierra were excellent performances, and in view of this fact some details of the steaming records supplied by the secretary, General Post Office, will 'be of interest. The Sonoma left Auckland on November 30, 1901, at fourteen minutes to four p.m., and arrived at San Francisco on December 16, at half-past six a.m. Allowing for adjustment of time, her actual steaming time was 16 days 26 minutes, exclusive. of stoppages, or an average of 15.38 knots an hour. Including stoppages, the run occupied 16 days 10 hours 35 minutes, or an average of 14.99 knots. This is the fastest trip outwards yet accomplished by the new steamers. On her return run, the Sonoma left San Francisco on December 26, at twenty-five minutes to one p.m., and arrived at Auckland on January 13, 1902/ at ten minutes to two p.m. Her actual steaming time, exclusive of stoppages, was 16 days 13 hours 26 minutes, or an average of 14.88 knots. Inclusive of stoppages she took 17 days 5 hours 26 minutes, or an average of 14.30 knots. For the purposes _ol comparison, it is worth while to mention the Sonoma's outward voyage, when she left Auckland on March 2, 1901, at twenty-five minute's to four p.m., and arrived at Sai: Francisco on March 18, at . twenty-five minutes past eleven a.m. Her actual steam ing time, exclusive of stoppages, was 1( days 2 hours 16 minutes, equal to 15. knots. Inclusive of stoppages, she occupiec 16 days 15 hours 39 minutes, equal to 14. knots an hour. This was the fastest voyag outwards, except" the one abovementioned The Sierra left San Francisco on Decembe 6, at twenty-nine minutes past eleven a.m. and arrived at Auckland on December 24, a half-past ten a.m. This was the fastes voyage inwards. Her actual steaming time exclusive of stoppages, was 16 days 11 hour 18 minutes, or an average of 14.96 knotf Inclusive of stoppages, the length of th voyage was 17 days 3 hours 12 minutes equal to 14.37 knots an hour.