THE POSTAL SERVICE. TUESDAY, August 5.

Colonist, Volume XVI, Issue 1663, 26 August 1873, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE POSTAL SERVICE. TUESDAY, August 5.

In Committee on the Postal services, Mr. VoGEI moved the acceptance of M'Meckan and BlacV wood's offer for a branch service to the Bluff and Wellington. He reviewed the mail service since 1869, and alluded to the action ef the conference. He explained the various offers of services from Victoria, from Mr. Russell (in New York), for a Californian service from New South Wales, and a through service to California. He gave estimates as follows:—Victoria, deducting postage, £18,000; New South Wales *o Kandavau, deducting postages, £22,000; Mr. Russell's proposal, deducting postages, and Victoria's contribution of £50,000. A through servioa to California, instead of the Kandavau branch, deducting postages, would.be £35,000. He proposed telegraphing to Mr. Russell the New South Wales offer, and telegraphing to Queensland asking it if it will share the cost of subsidising a steamer between New Zealand and Queensland. A long discussion ensued, lasting five hours. The Auckland members strongly protested. Mr. Wood said that Auckland would be sacrificed and her trade be ruined. Mr. White strongly opposed, and urged the Hokitika service. Mr. Collins moved an amendment in favor of the Cook Strait service. Mr. Shbehan moved for a steamer from Auckland to Sydney; pending the establishment of the San Francisco servioe, at a cost not to, exceed £30,000 annually, Mr. Collins's amendment was lobl on a division. TVfr. Sbeehan's was withdrawn on a pledge by the Government to establish a steamer from Auckland to Sydney if possible. Mr. Vogel's motiou was carried.