THE TEHUANTEPEC ROUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13488, 15 May 1907, Page 7

THE TEHUANTEPEC ROUTE.

A POSSIBLE 23 DAYS' SERVICE. Mr. W. J. Napier, who recently returned to Auckland after a trip to the United States and Europe,, has; forwarded the following letter to; the Acting-Postmaster-General at Wellington on the'question "ai establishing a new direct mail service from New Zealand to England: — ;

"Auckland, May 14, 1907. .; Th© Hon. the Postmaster-General. Sir,ln view", of th« cessation of the San Francisco mail service, I desire to direct your attention to the possibility of establishing a new and more direct mail service to. England, via, Teliuantepcc, Mexico. From information I gathered, during a, recent visit to the United States of America, I understand that by July next there will be a steamboat connection between the Hawaiian Islands and the Isthmus of Panama at 'tehuantepec. A railroad has been constructed across the isthmus from tho Pacific to tho Atlantic side,, and breakwaters hawbeen constructed on both sides, enclosing harbours with a depth of 35ft at low-water spring tides. An English company, heeded by Sir Wheetman Pearson, the Liverpool engineer, holds the concession for the railroad and docks from the Mexican.Government. There mo excellent wharves and on the Pacific side- the sheltered-deep-water harbour has an area of 90 acres. On the Atlantic side steamers are. to connect at present with New York. If a steamer ■ could bo arranged for to take the New Zealand mails from the railway, on the Atlantic side of the isthmus, the letters could be delivered in London in 23 days from-Antic- -•■-■-' J * land. The matter is one of such great importance to New Zealand that it will well repay your early attention. If a reason- ■ able subsidy, were given there would be no difficulty in . getting steamboat connection, with England from the Atlantic fide, and we, could easily send our mails to Honolulu to connect with the company's line hov.\ that port- to Teliuantepcc. Trusting that ' yon will favourably consider this proposal. -—I have the honour to In?, sir, your obedi- • ant servant,' W. J. Napier." '■ Y