THE TOWN BELT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3255, 12 July 1872, Page 2

THE TOWN BELT.

J>KI>y,TATIOKr TO- THK.Wpj&IIIpkTKSIHZXT. A deputation, consisting of His Worthe Mayor, ;vnd MesAts 0. Jl. Hoy den, I>. F. Main, W.'d. Mumon," E. M'Glanhan, A. M'Neil, W. H. Reynolds, antl J. Tame, waticrl ujjon His Honqtij tlio Supenntendfc»tjrjj«itci^y aftcrnooni, for tlie" pnrpbae of fe(ji»«Ssting that a [>orttioii^of the Toy? 0 IJclt .miylit be cle^tx'tl hytprlaoju labour. i

Mr D. F. Main, who nctcd as spokes mail, btated thsvttlie Corporation, who liad control of Tij.wij JJtjlt, hadgm«i<^l^ie Gqlf Club ■ pertnlssion to,clear rhat* fiortion of it running from Itehiml the.: Cemqtcry up to Mornington: The object of the Club \v*u» no doubt, to < have iha ground cleared for playing ; but- in addition!, to that, a large section of the iiiliabitants of IWineelijrconmlerecl' iliatif thispbrtiojfTof tti&ißeltyrere'cl&iykA, it would bo v. very uaefiil arid very agree;!bio itiuoniQiMuJe. .-At prese/it it was. covered with flax, fif 'thtftWere -rertioVed, it wdnJd1 bere^iafced by ; a. beautiful sivard. T,)',p Cprporaticrii was anxious that that portion of the Belt should be'clearcd; btit':thero trere «o funds at tho disj>o»al,«ithw of. ,the- Glnb or tlie Corporation sufficient for the purpose, and they thought tbnfc'priaon labour plights be .very n«jf»Uly employetl in doing, ,Sib-wmic~requiwJ t --wl»icli-Aw»t»ltU.be^>r the benefit o/^.hc,iji^i^ generally. He believed that owriei* V>f Ji>ropei-t3r ahutting o*l tliiij portion of iJie 80l t and 'ilivae,their'wiim, 3 as'w^M w',iho wsrif of the golf era and crickefcrs, £b at' the j Belt should, be cleared-, , t M'S-'l A t-.~ $ § \ The Spi'Bßr.T*T«xi>BKX isaid: ,fhe ide* ojf clearing,and^Lrwprjyvin^tVfrJCpwn Bel| in 'this hiaiin^r propo'sod "n<)t f a r nevir? ft was about 10 yu'ars since he was ingeUingan OrHiiilarice'pii^ed appointing Trustees for Itho'^pnrn^so. of j&oayiiig-out,-iHellabJ£ct:itLft!depu had in view. ri He Jiipi»i4k>wa» one of *«* Trustees," and heVdcollectedtliathe ofibrod at thCjUme^o plpug)lj.iip3paq:e3,,and so\f it with Agrass pro Loha'ptutTuxK Howeverl ith^ihing iiras'debTatdd mltnc, clrci, '4na?irol tiling Twa'kion*.;'* Tfile dep;nta,tion wcfjild ffiiiir i^,^^' Ipcn^iljf > jKe(.«^B' j*a ; favour of the.objectan .view, .andinrould. be .glad t^aee it accomplished ; but.^q faras^the ccm^ij^tf M-'<»£«mcl,,h<»<coujd, not>6i4 out any'hope of anything-of the tnrt'f&^i long time, because tliere%e)^'a.ii^jralft!^ of obligatioiuii'ih»t;the(Gioye;*nment J liadi xmdcrtMkje^^m^ikiey decid«jd the proi vioui 3ay totulfil those obligations beMr^ underiakiog fre«h one*. Of course, when tbow undertakings were noMted, then

would be tho,tirae to take, this matter tip. ( Bu4y, m the meantime, ho thought ;fta 'coid^, safely say tiwt ho did not HhuUc-t.the Government would give* any definite promise. However dea«able the" object, nought might 'be,- prison labour was limited ; tho leas they had of it the bettor, and it was to be hoped they wonld trot hay© so much of sfe in the future as they had in the past. He would respectfully suggest that the deputation should adjourn, and wait upon His Worship the Mayor. ~3110 Town Jicli was1 jmder tho ' control of the Municipality, who derivod, a certain revenue from it; and he understood that that revenue was £o be, de-voted to the ornamentation of the city. At the same- time ho was not urging that as an argument why pment jabour should not be employed. j Mr R&yxomks ; The Government have tindortakcn to assist, with prison labour* in malting a road from the top of Stafford jstroet on to the Town Belt. When the prisoners are thero^ it would not cause much trouble to do this work ?ja well. . The SupßMNireNDiiNT : What you refer io is an undertaking which tho Government fully recogniao; and has just been before the Executive. lint there is a* difficulty. There is only a limited quantity of labour, and we cannot overtake all our obligations at once. It is fully recognised that, there is an obligation, *m& 'when that work comes up, I dare say yonxsupgeotion will be considered. Mr Reynolds : I understood that tfco •work-1 "referred to was to bo done as soon. as the spring came in. The SorpmiNTENbKXT : I do not think so. Mr Reynolds : I think that was pro-. nuHod. Air M-'Glawhan said that those who* *vere connected with the Proviuco in tito early days were aware that reserves were set aside for purposes of recreation. Tho Corporation had now got the managements of those reserves ; but unfortunately th«t Corporation did «ot carry out' what was originally intended. They allowed witUa to get upon the Town Belt and dtusiroy the roads. If tho prisoners wory in Vwt utilised in making ro;ula,, without there being any fencing, what would theru Vje to keep the cattle oft" the r.iad • In considering one part of the Town Belt, they nhould not consider that alone ; but the whole of Iho Town Belt. , There was one portion particularly, in the north part of tho city, which was at the present time % perfect swamp. That might be utilised and made a very fine place of recreation for the inhabitants'; and probably if "the Government saw their way to employ iimonllabour for the purpose r»f eiab^tf llshing the Town Belt, tho' northern part would not bo overlooked.

nuHod,

The St'pEniNTKNttKNT said ilio outlying districts were now, asserting their claims to prißon labour, and ho mut>t Buy, nut before it was time. Ho did not think that in future^tlie whole of the prisoners could 1«3 expected to be concentrated i«t Dunodiiu. There were district* in which they would be perfectly availably where the .settlers had had no outlet for 20 yeans: r Jn fact the Government had just agreed to dispatch as soon as they conld. a body of 10 or->ls prisoners to meetac<'u?«: of that kind. ■>■.>« .?

%lr Main : After the Government fiaye fulfilled their engagement^ is there a probability that the work will bo proceeded with,? :

Tlie SurBJUNyKNDENT : Yes. I think ooThe deputation then withdrew.;

THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCE.

The quarterly mooting of the Chamber was held yesterday afternoon, there being n,;!gpod fttendauce of meinhera. Tlie chair was occupied by the Broflidenfc, Mr Waloott,

Tho CjCAittMJJ?, in opening tlio bWncsk' of tVe" ni eoting, said : Tito Committee have not boon idle during the last three months, many matters having occupied their attention. One subject that has hepn under, consideration is that of shipping telegrams. "l The Committee has been trying ti> gut shipping telegrams for the use of the members of tl<e Chamber. They communicated, with Mr Yogel, but received au. unfavourable reply to their request. Another subject waH that of the dredging of tho harbour .at the Kattray street jetty. It w:i» pointed out to tho Committee that ■ dminjs Uie last 18 months or two yi-ara the channol there had1 filled up something like two feet.—(ll car, hoar.) ThoTcstslt was, that vessels coming from other Colonies ladei; to a depth which the merchants there hail :ix.'cu informed they, could fia'ely draw, went aground, thus entailing cunM:leraMe cxi ><.•].< se, A deputation fro»i the Conunitteo waited u]«onlhe Secretary for Public Works, and was received very favourably, the government promising, fro attend to the matter ; but they were •unable to do''so' at prcHeiit, owing to an obligation they u-enj under to the promoters of the Port-Chalmers Railway to , dredge j alongside the; , l>k*r M Port Clialmerp. it was proini«cd, liowevjfer, tlifttiaß iikni 'as tltlvt 'obligation* was fulfilled, they would do this work. The next. subject was with referer.ee to a central goods shed. Kejx>rt3 were abroad that the' (renefal GWj'c^niuenti having their goods; »hed Bojae>vhwe near the Anderson's tiny road, 'opposite the Re«reatkm Ground! •' It npj^ared to the Committee that it waa desirable there flhoiild begone-central station for ail goods. In the fii-st place, a telu^m w;is sent to-Mir Klair ) but the reply was not , Very flatinfiuitury, and adeputrition waited 1 «po« the Superihtendenfp wlio assured us that the Executive were miito of <mr. opniion in iLe matter—that tijeten^niation oftlje Clntlia lino muHt be on tlio same spot an the Port Chalmers Raihvay - both lines running;into each other, and to ojie ..etatioiL The. /Committee also received a m eniorial "from -the- Presbyteriau Synod, ofJDtJfgo: UAAf SoiiiiWaiidi^ with reg.'trd to Sabbath traflie, and it was thought -better to jfeferi iKttytltoUluuaabtr.' M^Mem 'of ■greater iin'portfuide than those I'Mve '$& ni'eiitibhqg'.liare l'iscinn4ict: tiiii^kttco.tiou: o£ the Committee :during the last, fypnthjiofc-iyx'.yteQkft. [Tiie. fi&fc I will, allude' to is the subject of ijaaking.. Ijast year. Mr Bathgate moved for an<* obtained a'Committee in the,;Generat\Asseinbly, for^ho purpose of cewwidering Hiepresent -feystem-'of*'banking: Ho was fortunate in haying soiiie" very * good tocm upon tho Cotuimttee.I'winch passed certain resolutions that werp'submitted tat lhe ( H6iisc> • but^^^aa at'» late peritwi of the session, ihe inattor^a* shelved for that year, ftlr Bathgate intimated to the Committee of the Chamber "iltat Ji«"J£ntends t9 brbig tho inatt^r r :for>'ard^aaai» ibis Veai',; rand f asked 4hat tiicf tWfld take it mto.coufjideration. Wn, done, and the report Will'be laid before the Chamber/ 1 t^Mfftd^t MxJJattt!gat»?jS" aim sat ir complete change in the ptiid&hVMsfem ty: baking. His regolutioii^jarpb^d-Mpoa^S'/Sfßteni in America, under the Amfericaat ITatiiynhl ißmHaag'Aek of ISG^^^MottSfb tlwr !?l |^ : n^^aava^^§/jb^.^uM« by-; thft; ipw^wecd. change ;. *£Uur CGnndqrmk,JAi€ i mit^ptl^l CottMoittee came to the conclusion that they hai not fliifßcicnt • information to w«n&ii6 thexa in anresefved^ recoouoendicg ihm

Kjiitem; but there are certain points of detail, and also matters of princiiJile, which the Committee docn recommend. One thing I should allude U> particularly. Under the Joint-Stock Companies Act now in ?uree here} associations' for banking and insurance cannot be formed without a special Act of Parliament. The Committee recommend- that a change should ho made, making banking as it were, free ami open to, all under certain restriction)!—*w> that it shall not be necessary for .any such association to get a special Act pawed. The Committee also recommends, with reference to the iwiuc of notes, that the State should have some security that all n.oten should be paid in full—that what "Mr Bathgate colls the involuntary creditor—the man who takes the note of a'bank—should he sure of getting 10a in th<*■'.£. .Also, with regard to having a e*;i»tral clearing house, the mcrubtre of Committee are strongly iv favour of t at, . , ,(blr Wnlcott here read the resoiution« brought up by the Committal "f kite Hnuae of Representatives, and p«l»li*lu'4 in the Daily Times of the JHh Ocfjlwr,'Jo7l; The next sub-jt'efcr-and one of c/jnviderable importance, b«cau.*e it c--m<:H before the Assembly immediately— h the «lt> ration of the Bankruptcy Law. It will be remembered that hml year an Act was introduced into the <"JenerarAw«e'iibly. This Hill was referred' to a SjK'cial Committee of the Chamber. The principal point recommended by the Committee Ja'l yew w;tfi, first of nil, that an act of lJ.iiikruptcy should bo more clearly drnm-d, stild thy Committee mentioned various acts which, in their opinion, hT:--«»:M constitute act of Bankruptcy. This iit!|irovcm«int ha** been introduced into the new Bill. . The next recommendation made by lh« Cojumittee wan that the debtor should'be deprived of the right of petition. J find that this Chamber was iilniost the only one which made that recommendation, and it has not been introduced, the Government having-.decided, I suppose, to leave it out. The third recommendation was that the management of the estate should be left enliiely'to the creditors themselves, the Court exercising, mnrely a judicial function. That has been introduced into the Hill as, far as poHfiiblc The fourth., suggobtion made wns that, except by c-'oiM'ut o£ the creditors, no insolvent bhould be entitled to a discharge wiles Jh's Cf>';tk: p.-tid U)a in the.£ ; that two years should b« ;tT!<nved him to make up tluLt amount, after which time all debts should rank as judgment debts, for which im!Uf;<iiut<: execution could be obtained. To f.:om«; extent, that-recom-mendation hits been'carried out in the new Bill. The 10s is adhered to on a minimum dividend : buttholime isaltered to three yoara, and by tho introduction of a fi:w wnrd.s, the whole advantage of having tho debts to rank as judgment 'debt* is done away with, ok it is provided that those debts shall be .subject to the rights of any pnraons who have become creditors of the inflblvent during the interval. There are minor amendments in this Act, which Mr Brodie appears to have gone through carefully, and he has furnished us with various suggestions which, no doubt in many instances, the Ch&nibor will approve of. , I cannot' well bring the matter before you myself, but 1 may »ay that I do hope some '■■■member of tho 'Chamber will take some action with reference to our present mail arrangements by San Frsuiciflce. Ido not like to move .a resolution myself, as some think I am an opponent of tho service, which I nm not; but it is of very little' value as a mail service. I may say that our -letters .invariably are 00' days of more going home, and the same time coming out; arid really something, ought to bo done to -have the' Service carried on faithfully. HAIiJJATII OIWBTtVANCSE.-. j The Skcurtaky (Mr J. S. Webb) read | * the memorial—referred to in the Chair-1 man's speech—from'; the Presbyterian Synod,'/equc-feting the Cliambcr to, use its influence .'for' the prevention of.,Sabostlf desecration by the sailing of steamers, «&c, on Sundays. Mr JoiJ-N Watson moved a resolution, which was adopted, to the effect that <■'the .•subject *>f the memorial is not one-with, which the Chamber can properly deal, ~and thati the memorialists be respectfully jiiformed to that effect.' 1 ./;'.;";;.,. SHU'I'INO TKI.Ii«UAMS. • ■■;

' The Skclu'takY having read the/ reply from Mr Vogel to the application made l-hy the Chamber with reference to sliipipittg telegrams, ; "" ' Mv .Ratxkay said ho thought there wefc Bomo matters in connection with this subject which wore worthy of consideration. Mr Vogel's letter alluded to n certain system which had been previously in force, and which cost the country OJOOO a year. He did not think they understood what that system could have been, because if they reflected they vwoukUfiud-tliat »n tlliH > the ehieLport of Colony, thare were rarely,niore. than, Ttwo-rar three departures or anivjabi In the -day that it would be -necessary-; to place upon a public board. He could not see how the expense could be made out to be -even £1000 a year. A few years ago, when the arrivals'and departures of vessels were reported, he used to notice that a -hundred persons would go to the board in nlie «vrly lioura of. the morning ; and -{those were not people of one clas« alone, but of all classes. He therefore did not think that the writer of the letter was correct in Baying, two or three times, that only a few persons were interested in this miattor. He had read the PostmasterGeneral's answer in Parliament with resard to this subject, upon which this Miter was.based. Upon the authority, of .-.some official, he stated that if the kreo 7 telegrams' wei'o resumed it would save a great deal .of'money'to aome houses of business,: Baying, that to one firm it » would bo a saving of £300 a year,, He • could not possibly understand how such •a statement could be made. They would excuse him for referring to hin own linn, * than which ther6were not'two or three •bosses in Now Zealand that required to use the telegraph more. Their expense in that way'did not exceed £72 a-year; so he did not see how any house could . save £300 by the proposed arrangement. .No doubt, the shipping telegrams would -.Increase the work of the officials; but there were clerks in Napier, Wellington, and other places, who very likely could tspare half an hour'a-day for this purpose, ■m that it-would not require the employ.ment of additional officers. With all due Reference to tho Government; ho would suggest that if tho heads of departments -.and om'cislß would use the telegraph less, ;and the Post-office more, there would be plenty of-time for the transmission of the shipping telegrams. He would suggest to the Committee that it would' be worth iheir while to look into the matter, and answer some of the arguments used by the Poßtmaatcr-Geaeral;, because, he thought, the letter, was written under ,SQine°fallacious impression. It was- resolved, that the Committee Should b.e r^eyuested to give .further, considoratioV, to tho subject of. shipping telegrams.'*," „:. ',' , NATIONAL BANKS OF ISSUE. The Secketaky brought iip the following report from the Subcommittee appointed to consider the aubject of National

jSanm or xmae, as unroaueea mio me Assembly by Mr Bafchgate :— The Sub-Committee have to report generally that thjjjy are Jn favour or 'faeifittea being afforded for the establishment of lcxr.l Banks, but that they have notion able to secure mffm*ki information .by which- to judge whether the; ArAexiatn- nytstem -ticscribed to, the Committee byJMrlSatbgate, can be adapted to the circaxntttances of this community. They recommend that an enrlcavour should )mj made to obtain an alteration of.the J<)jjit-Stock Cwmpani**Act, ho that Companies may be formed under it -for carrying'on the bamncss of banking or that of iiururauce^ They^also tlazhc .to .suggest, that -legislation i» required by which the j holdenrof notes circulated hy Bank* trading ' in the Colony 'mnylie fully protected in case;! of, the .failure of jmch Banks. ■ "With regard { to the proposed central cl«ar«i#«hmiKe.for j tho Colony, they'are of opinfoil that ftwnnid i prove.a pr<ivti<:n>| convenience,' mid that the-! arrangement iit bife'Tify definable, from a poll- j tical point-of view* ok a ineauc of avoiding '• the division of the rcwrvb* of coin between j Bcveral distant' tow Won n dcfcncdcess coast- j line. .:--•• '> j The B«t;HKTAitv, in the'abaenco of-the i Chairman of the Sub-Couiniittee, moved the adoption of the report, which was carried. ■■ ,■_ v f *';,!: ■i . >r. j Vhk nkw UAXKitriToy a«t. '. ;: The SrX-itKTABV brought up, a report on certain objectionable points in the pro- ! pot'cd measure.- <•;.<.-, j It was resolved, " That the Conunittee | be requested to'exainiiib the new Bnuk- \ ruptcy Uill, and ascertain'in what poiniu it uiiFers from the recommendations of the Chamber, and to report' to ft special inceting.of tlie t ohsunber."'f .-■.-;:. ;'"' ; THK C().MJN<; KKrtSION1., Ol' TIJK OKNKK.U. ... ~, AB.SiJMW,V. Mr Bathcjatj; Haid that,, with tlie i)crmiHsion of tlio Chamber, )io would briefly indicate'the courriu he intended to jiiirniie with regard to BOnno of the matters winch would come before Oie A<wemb]y at ita next KCShion. He thought the Ch'ambci'.'hitd good caKse t*/: can j plain that year nfter, year , -the Govemnien'/ of the day brou^lit in important questions afiectinj; tlie intercuts <»f its jiiembcrK without giving tho Bligbtc»t notice .of their intention ; i«nd witliuut sending down to the Chamber of Ct»ininerce, tin wa« done in Englnnd, copies of intended liilla. Hc'miglii state, in regard to the iJimkrtiptcyJJiU, ili:it if ho It ad the honour of being upon the Committee,, ha would be very glmi tx> promote the -inHertiou of any \iew« tlie Chsunljer waaunauinioiis upon. Tiien, 'in'r«!g'.ird.to the sn!»ject of banking, the courts*!, he intended to. ' pursue'wm this': Jnimcdiaiely .after the : House would meet, he would give notice ' of Jiirt intention to introduce the Hill; obtain leave, and have the Bill read a first time, and tlien ■ postpone the ( second; rending for three- weeka vv so, in ordii*' that c^i»ic» ma.y be Kent throughout the ■ Colony, and an expretwion of opinion obtained either one way or another. If favourable to the opening np of the trade of banking more than ,nt preKent, ho far good. There would- bo a fight over it. Parties in possession of llje Hold, and of a lucrative monopoly, would not be prepaid to pftrt ' with it unions there waa a uunnlmouit expression of opinion on 'tho part of tho public. The principles kid down in those resolutions were such, an required no com- ■ ment from him, and he would not go into them further tlinn to say this, that they j who were engaged in tlie commerce of the country must feel that to liavo half ' tlie dead-weight at present on commerce ' liberated, and discount decreased- to a ( tolerable margin, would be a great beue- ; tit. They had examples of this two yeuru : tigo,' when they saw'the hniikH, without ; any local cause,' suddenly ptillihg up re- " ■ Bpecliiblo cuHtomers, dnd refusing to dis- ' count good paper. That was a state of \ things' a mercantile coumiuuity shotild not Bubmit to. If they chose to. act' together with proper unanimity/ they were masters of the field, and cduld'iponipel'tho banks to do what was right—to invest a : part of their capital here, and, not make j them depoudont upon ventures ia Queens- j land and elaotvheve, ; There was another j "Bill that he had ]>reparedj which affected i public interest generally more than the j mercantile community. There was alegul j rate of interest chargeable. Many con- j tracts were made without stating the amount of interest. Judgments woro.;; given, and tho Amount in judgments must bear a rate <if interest. To avoid all dispute with regard to that, a rate of interest was fixed by law. In England, they were all. aware that the legal rate of interest was 5 per cent In this Colony if was at present 8 per, cent Now It was high time that the rate should be reduced. It was , always intended that this'rate of interest j fibould be lens than the current rates. J This rate of 8 per cent, was fixed when . Interest was 12J pea- cent,'arid hi «m>6 cases he had heard of it being2o percent. Those happy days had panned away, and 8 per centk was now tort much to pay. The law did not take away from individuals or banks, tlie powfcL-.loniake any contract; but if no contract were made, then the legal rate of interest should be the lowest current rate. Good securities now brought 7 per cent, •/and' Uc intended to go below that. I^erhapH he. would not carry his' 'point—Tie wanted, to bring it down to tho English rate of 5 per ceufc. — but he hoped the Chamber would take the matter into consideration ns a matter of public importance* and use iU influence, tir bring down the legal rate of intere&t in. the samo proportion, as .the other rates of interest and discount lwd been during the lost few yearrf. Mr Bathgate concluded by assuring £he members that any suggestions made by" them would always receive careful consideration from him m the Assembly.■ • ,-, . ~-,.. THE SAN FRANCISCO itAlh BBRVICK. MrH. T£W*MJY s (of &>£rgood,.Bon, and Ewen) said ho "thought too time bad &nue when they shouldtake some steps with lefereuce to tha San Francisco-Mail Service, !Somo two yeaw ago, when the thing.was m embryo, they were pretty united m considering it very desirable, and the Chamber backed up the Government as .far as. possible. The service had had a fantrial, and' he thought'they would-be 'unanimous in saying it- had completely failed—at any rate of late. Ho thought the time had conio when' they should oak the Government either to'see that the service was mado a thbtpughly. tx»st- • worthy one, or tliat tho-thihg.*hould. be ignored at once, so that they'might depend upon the Suea line. ,lt was possible, perhaps, that some British merchants or shipowners, might, see their way to; open up the route with vessels more suitable ! for the purpose;-and in that case he wwud be glad to see the line open* r but" in t«0 meantim&he thought they-iihould.da.Uieu best to cub their, connection with the present Sau Francisco l M-vice, and unite again with the ,Suez Hue. He would • t -^:,,r, fie might state tho long voyage made" by one '<>» ' M steamers causod a loss to his firm of £1000. MrllufwiELt pointed out that i^any? thing went wrong with- ono orthose.BoaiS tliey would have, no service ataU.. f Tliero were only ttro ateamew running ;;»nd'« one of them broke down, the service would be at a stand-stilL He would suggest that the City members should take

steps to find out \rfaat securities they had for the performance, of the service." MrWebb migM Bay at-.any., time that lie would not carry it on. , (~ . : Mr Davik said that it, was intended to, send oii the Daertah. to Melbourne to carry oh the service, but when it was found that an American subsidy was not forthcoming, she was stopped/ "' "■ ' Mr TVajloot: I said that, before any, refiolution was .pawed," they f should recoi-k-ct that when they had "an. interview with Mr "Vogel—while expressing 'satisfaction at the initiation of the new' service—they asked that''the Government should provide for the payment of a Ijrabsidy to the Suez line. They would remember tiiat; they; wdror.'~tbld-itb:e Go- ! ivernment would cut them oft' from the I San Francisco line if they desired it, and i Jet the boats stop *at AVellingtori. FoV j his own pjirt lie was sorry they had not ! accepted the offer. . 3lr Yogel said, if , you rt-ant to see those fine boats com- ! 3»g to your pott, bringing you into I contact with New World notions and '.civilisation, you must5 be content with \ that one service. Ths Cluutxbei; tlioa pnsist'd a resolution acceptiwg that view t>i the matter; so ho thought the. best plan to adopt now was to pass a resolution expressingdissatisfa'cKoTi-with the conduct of thq service. ■•■ • ' /^; ,'''''•'.< ' Mr Teu-hlev. : At that time we were ! l«d to believe it would be a regular serI Vice. It has since proved a failure, and | wt; ree we liaye made.a mfotakc. .1..d0, not thiiitr we' Are jiskiiig'tbo inucii." ' ' <k f t ' The following resulutiori was tlien put. to th*» riicetirig, ami carried uuaiumonsiy : "That the attention, of the, Oovernment be called to' the gwsat irreguUirifcy hi id dulay in the ti-ansmission of our mails to and from England v'm San Francisco, and that it be requested that arrongetnetitH be made to connect New* Zck-) land with the Suez mail line." The Chamber then adjourned.