OCEAN MAIL SERVICES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 915, 13 September 1889, Page 20

OCEAN MAIL SERVICES.

Tho Premier moved the following in Committee of the Whole on Monday 1. That, in view of the expiration of the Ocean Mail Service Contracts in November and December next, it is desirable to make further provision for the conveyance of mails fortnightly between the Colony and Great Britain at. a total cost not exceeding £28,750.

2. That in order to give further time for the development of the proposed VancouverPacific service the Government be authorised to arrange for a renewal of the present services via San Francisco and by Direct steamer for a period of twelve months. 3. That the Government, therefore, enter Into negotiations — 4 a.) For joining New South Wales in the renewal of the San Francisco service for 12 months under the following conditions : That the payment to be made shall not exceed £11,250 (exclusive of the cost of interprovincial service, &c., and payment on account of light dues). That the steamers call at Auckland, as at present, and that the time allowed between Auckland and San Francisco shall not exceed 20 days either way. That bonus shall not be payable for early arrival; and that penaltios at the rate of £4 per hour, •shall not be enforced, except when the late delivery of mails exceeds 48 hours on any voyage. That New South Wales shall receive° and retain all sums recovered by way of penalties for late arrival, and pay all amounts in respect of demurrage; and also receive and retain all contributions from soon-contracting colonies, and the proper--tion. of the United States payment. The steamers to be exempt from payment of light harbour, and other dues, as at present • and that in all other respects the provisions of existing contract be given effect to. (b.) To renew with the present contractors for twelve months, the existing fourweekly Direct service, at a cost not to exceed £17,500 (exclusive rf the cost of interprovmeial service and light dues). Ihe basis of payment to be ; Letters, 12s per lb, hooks Is per lb, and newspapers 6d per lb 5 and bouus at the rata of £5 per hour be paid for the early delivery of the mails, but no bonus for any voyage to be paidf or any period in excess of 48 hours saved. That a penalty of £4 per hour be enforced for late arrival : that the £ime from Plymouth to New Zealand shall be .45 days, and from New Zealand to Plymouth 42 days. That ths >3teamers be exempt from payment or Sight and harbour dues at the port of arrival tot the Colony, aad that qn all other •respects the provisions of existing ,qp*sract he carried into effect. The following estimate for a four-weekly San Francisco serv&oe, £11,250 per annum, and four- weekly Direct service at £17,500, is attached to the motion 34——

Saw Francisco — g,ll s 250 Dr. Subsidy ... ••• iCr. Load-on post ges £9,G05 Now Zealand' poeiages .... 1(5,455 •26,060 1 i Or. Balance £14/810 i CoaBtal service (£3500), &e. 4,bU0 : 'Bdlaece in favour of Colony Direct 'Service, -- Dr Payment by weight... £12,000 Bonus-not to exceed ... £5500 £10,210 •Or. London postages ...£10,995 £17,500 New Zealand postages £5922 16,917 Dr Balance £583 Coaatal service (£30u0), &o. ... 3936 Balance against Colony ... £4519 JSTet result in favour of Colony £5691