THE CALIFORNIA SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1155, 17 January 1874, Page 18

THE CALIFORNIA SERVICE.

The Mikado, which arrived here list Friday, was several days longer on the passage than was anticipated, owing to a fool bottom. She was to have left Sydney for Kandavu on the 13th January, and would be expected there (Sydney) about the 10th. When it was found she did not arrive, it is likely that one of the A.S.N. Company's boats was chartered, and probably the City of Melbourne may, some time during the present week, leave Sydney for Kandavu. Still there is so much uncertainty in the matter, that Mr Vogel, after visiting the Mikado on Saturday, and ascertaining the facts, sent instructions by telegraph, that the mail which had been forwarded for transmission by the Governor Blackall, from Auckland to Kandavu, should be transferred to the Suez mail, which leaves the Northern Ports in two or three days. We do not know if the Blackall will still proceed to Kandavu. That there should be some difficulty in the first commencement of a new line on such a scale as the present one is not to be wondered at. Never before has a service of the kind been initiated by telegraph. It is marvellous to think that huge vessels like the Mikado, chartered in London, can be sent down to Australia in 30 days after arrangements are completed at home. When the Mikado left China, a new steamer, the Tartar, had just arrived from England. She was directed by cable to complete her unloading at Japan, and immediately afterwards to proceed either to Otapo or Sydney, we are not certain which. It is quite likely she may make her appearance here in a few days. The Mongol was to leave England for Otago on the 24th December, and we believe a large steamer, the Cyphrenes, was also to follow the Tartar from China. When it is remembered that these are only temporary boats, employed for a few months till far better ones are built, some idea may be conceived of the magnitude of the new service.