PACIFIC MAIL SERVICES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 994, 20 March 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

PACIFIC MAIL SERVICES.

SAN FRANCISCO AND VANCOUVER. INTERVIEW WITH THE HON. G. M'LEAN. (per press-association.) Auckland, March 14. Hon. Geo. McLeaD, who has returned by the Monowai, it will be remembered, to San Francisco to interview Mr Spreckles, of the Oceanic Steamship Company, relative to certain matters which required adjustment. These have been settled satisfactorily, and the Monowai will run in con junction with the and Mariposa in the San Francisco mail service. Mr McLean visited Vancouver and saw the principal commercial people there in reference to tile Vancouver-Australian route. Ha suggested, as a beginning, that they should Btart a branch line and connect with the San Francisco service at Honolulu, so as to develops trade and passenger traffic before committing the vessels to serious financial obligations j or on terms the contractors for the San Francisco mail service would be prepared to ran a service fortnightly alternately to San Francisco and Vancouver. He thinks it probable the former suggestion in connection with Honolulu will be carried out, as the Vancouver-Australian service would require a subsidy of £60,000 to £70,000 a year which there is no prospect of the Australian Colonies contributing, while New Zealand would not be likely to do anything in the way of subsidies either to that service or for a connecting service at Fiji, which is also ooe of the side proposals of the scheme. Mr McLean was unable to say anything as to the rumoured amalgamation of the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company with the : Union Company. Mr McLean left today for the South by the YVanaka. The mail news shows that the Bill which has passed the American Legislature regard ing the Pacific U a ble leally provides for a cable line to be constructed and submerged first from San Francisco to Honolulu, and then as s ion as practicable to Samoa, New Z-alaud, and Japan. Upon its completion to Hawaii the Company is to receive an annual subsidy of 5200,000 dollars. The capital stock will be 5,000,000 dollars, with power to increase that amount at will. The principal office will be at San Francisco.