WELLINGTON. THE STEAM ROUTE.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 114, 23 November 1858, Page 3

WELLINGTON. THE STEAM ROUTE.

The Wellington Independent of Saturday last, says:— W,e are at last in possession of definite information with regard to the route on which the General Government intend employing the steamers sent out by Messrs. Pearson, Coleman, and Co. The Auckland papers received by the Lord Worsley contain a few particulars relative to the contract entered into, in England, between that firm and Mr. H. Seweli, from which we learn that the route was settled by the latter gentleman, afid 19, we presume, binding, unless the agents of both parties in the colony mutually agree to its alteration. We have always been led to understand that the route might be varied and finally settled by the New Zealand Government alone, but from what we are able to gather from our Auckland contemporaries, this does not appear to be the case. As the Colonial Secretary may be expected to return from the South in a few days, it becomes imperative that the Provincial Government, the Chamber of Commerce, or the public should then ascertain what are the exact terms of the contract; whether the route fixed by Mr. SewelJ is to be adhered to ; and if not, what fresh arrangements are in contemplation. A notice of motion has been given in the Auckland Provincial Council to the following effect:— Ist. That in the opinion of tin's Council a total disregard of the interests of the Province of Auckland has been shewn, in contracting with Messrs. Pearson, Coleman, and Co., for the conveyance of the mails of this province to the provinces of Nelson and New Plymouth, previous to their delivery here. 2nd. That the average passages of sai ing vessels from Sydney, will shew that the mails e;in be brought quite as quickly by sailing vessels from Sydney, as they can by steamers via Nelson and New Ply mouth, thus conferring no benefit upon this province in the receipt of the English mails. 3rd. That as this province is called upon to pay a very large proportion.of the stibsidy; and also looking to its position as the first province oF the colony, and the seat of government, it is placed unfairly in a disadvantageous position. 4th. That if it is the intention of the General Government to carry out the route laid down in the contract, great injustice will be inflicted upon the Province of Auckland. sth. That the steamers calling at Nelson and New Plymouth will in most cases debar passengers from this province from taking their passage by them, and will altogether debar merchants from shipping, merely from the fact of the rate of insurance from Sydney to Nelson being two and a half par cent.; Sydney to New Plymouth, being three per cent.; whilst the rate of insurance from Sydney to Auckland is only one per cent. And that a copy of the route be printed with these resolutions. The roufe referred to in Messr3. Pearson, Coleman, and Co.'s contract, which has given rise to this remonstrance, is this— The large steamer Prince Alfred to leave Sydney on the 10th; to reach Nelson on the 17th; and to return again to Sydney on the Ist of every month. From Nelson one of the smaller steamers will convey tho mails Northward, the other Southward. Starting from Nelson on the 18th, the Northward steamer is to call at New Plymouth, weather permitting, and reach Manukau or Auckland, at the contractor's option, on the 20th; to leave Auckland or Manukau on the 23rd ; call at New Plymouth, and return to Nelson on the 25th. It should be noted here, that only three days intervene between the arrival and departure of the mails at Auckland, while the Auckland homeward mails remain en routs at Nelson from the 25th to the Ist. The little dependence to be placed on the bar at Manukau, appears to be the reason for this arrangement, so that if, from being unable to take the bar at the day appointed, a detention of several days should take place (as occurred recently with regard to the White Swan, whim that.vessel was detained no less than nine days), the mail would still reach Nelson in time for transmission to Sydney in due course. The Southern steamer (0 start from Nelson also on the 18th, and reach Wellington on the 19th ; leave Wellington on the 20th, and arrive nt Canterbury oh the 21st; ■ sailing from thence on the 22nd fop Otago, she would get to her southernmost destination on the 23rd, and remain there a couple of days. Starting on the return voyage, the steamer would leave Otago on the 25th, anil reach Canterbury on the 26th; sail from thence on the 27th, anil arrive in Wellington on 23th; leave Wellington on the SOfh, and reach Nelson, in time for the steamer to Sydney, on the Ist Of course no mention is made of Hawke's Bay in the contract, and it is generally understood that the White Swan will be engaged with a view to place the new province on as good a postal footing as possible. Such is the route at present determined on, and in compliance with the requirements of which, the Lord Worsley is now on her way to Nelson to meet the Lord Ashley from Sydney. It is understood, however, that until the arrival of the Prince Alfred from England, the exact dates will not be adhered to.

Tii<s Spectator of tlio same day observes—We liopo the Chamber will lose no time in directing its attention by availing itself of the opportunity of Mr. Colemari's presence in Wellington, to take preliminary steps towards perfecting the steam communication with the colonies, so far as it can be done without interfering-with the-agreement which Messrs. Pearson, Coleman, and Co., have entered into with her Majesty's Government. The contemplated proceedings in the Provincial Council at Auckland, fore shadowed by &*' notice of motion," will shew the necessity for increased vigilance and exertion to counteract the effect which is intended to be produced by our Auckland Legislators, while expressing their dissatisfaction at Nelson, ar any ether central port, being chosen as the depot for the time being for the InterColonial steamers. Our Northern friends must not forget that this was Mr. Sewell's recommendation, based upon what-he conceived to be equitable grounds. Had Auckland, or Manaicau,-been-se-lected as the starting point, a manifest injustice

would have been done to the Southern Provinces •? under the present arrangements, we can see, little room for jealousy or complaint.' As regards ourselves, we are not so unreasonable as tooffer objections to Nelson being fixed upon as the-first port of arrival. We imagine that the merchants and others in that province would have good cause for protesting against the adoption of any plan which would be the means .of carrying their mails past Blind Bay;—to Wellington it will make but the difference of a day.—However, much will depend .upon-the-negotiations at Melbourne in reference to the Special Mail Service between Wellington and that Colony: should these, fail, the Chamber of Commerce must bestir itself, and do its duty.