SYDNEY MAIL SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7447, 23 May 1911, Page 1

SYDNEY MAIL SERVICE

AUCKLAND REQUESTS CORRESPONDENCE WITH UNION COAIPANY. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY SUGGESTED. BPECIAIi TO THS '* TIMES.” AUCKLAND. May 23. Tho attempt of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to obtain an accelerated service between. Auckland and Sydney, voiced in a letter from the president (Mr Lso M. Myers) to Sir James Mills (managing director of the Union Steamship Company) was, it will be remembered, replied to in general terms by Sir James Mills in tho course of an interview when pass:ng through Auckland recently, but ho statea on that occasion that timo had been too short to enable the consideration of a .full - reply, though such would bo cent iu due course. Mr Myers has now received the answer from Mr C. Holdsworth, general manager, of the company, which reads as follows: “with reference to your communication of 27x.fi. nit., which was acknowledged on receipt, I have to advise that your letter was placed before my board, wno gave it their careful consideration. "Your proposal that the voyage tiom Sydney to Auckland should be mad© in three days would require- an < average speed of eighteen knots, taking into ccnsiuerallon the difference in time. To secure this, tho vessel would require to be designed tor nineteen knots. The 'excess of a knot would barely make up for weather, indifferent coal, etc. The cost and running charges of such a steamer are so far in excess *of prospective earnings that it cannot be entertained. I should point out that even with the high rat© of speed referred to, the steamer could not undertake more running than is possible with a vessel of tho AJaheuo type. “ \Ve recognise the importance of tho Auckland trade, and the general advantage it is to the community taat steamers should arrive on the morning of the feurth day. Under present time-table steamers snould reach Auckland on Sunday morning. ‘•With regard, to the passenger traffic from Australia to Auckland in connection with the exhibition, we recogni&e the duty .that devolves upon us, and you may roly that ample services will , bs afforded- to cater tor whatever traffic offers.” As a result of this letter Mr Myers has despatched the following further communication to the general manager of the company; “1 beg to acknowledge receipt of yours of- the 11th inst.. ‘which will bo nlaced before the council of the Auckland Chamber, of Commerce at its next meeting. I note that ‘to do the distance between . Sydney and Auckland in ' three days would require an average speed of eighteen knots to be maintained, and that, taking into consideration.’the difference in tun© it would necessitate • designing a' nineteen-knot boat. I regret to learn from you that the cost and. running charges of such a steamer would be so far in excess of prospective earnings that the suggestion, cannot -be entertained. “In reply, may I suggest that it would bo possible to get over the financial difficulty by means of a subsidy from the Government, The shortening of the journey between Australia and New Zealand to three days would appear to many •business men an object of sufficient importance to justify the granting of a reasonable amount. Would it not bo as well, then, if you would be good enough to give us your ideas on this point? The Auckland Chaaioer of Commerce has no desire that Auckland or .New Zealand should benefit at the expense of your ■ company, which we recognise is a business concern, that is managed in accordance with tho highest commercial standards, nor does tho chamber desire that the city it represents should act selfishly in this matter. It is quite prepared to give every consideration to any claim , that Wellington or any other’Now Zealand port may possess In regard to a fast Sydney connection. “Mavv I venture to ask if there is any possibility of your company replacing the present Vancouver boats by newer vessels within the next twelve months and pitting the boats'thus made available on to the New Zealand-Australian service? And if so, what time these vessels would be likely to take between Sydney and Auckland? “l ain glad to not© that your company recognise tho duty that will devolve upon, your company in regard to the passenger traffic between Australia and Auckland in connection with tho forthcoming exhibition, I am quit© sure that you will make ample provision for catering for tho traffic, and I feel con-: vinced that you could not offer a greater inducement to travel to New Zealand than by putting on a class of vessel that will do the run in threo days.”