STEAM TO ENGLAND.

Colonist, Volume XXII, Issue 2513, 20 February 1879, Page 4

STEAM TO ENGLAND.

(From the Wellington Chronicle.) Some time a^o we referred to the proposal made by Sir Julius Vogel, the Agent-Q-eneral, to have a line of steamers established to run between London and New Zealand. Letters received by the last English mail indicate that the proposals for a direct steam service between London and New Zealand have now assumed a practical shape. Sir Julius Vogel and Mr Larnach have had several interviews with Mr Galbraith and Mr Denuy, the eminent Glasgow ship-builders, and those gentlemen propose on certain conditions, to establish a line of steamers equal, if not superior, to any line afloat. It must be understood that nothing definite haa been settled on the subject, but the whole question has been gone into by Messrs Galbraith aud Denny, and all necessary data, even to the most minute details, bayebeen obtained. Should the suggested arrangement be carried put, it is proposed to build'three steamers at Mr Denny's works on the Clyde. These Bteamers would suffice to crrry on an alternate month's service between England and New Zealand, and vice versa. The steamers would each have a gross register tonnage of about 4215 tons; horse power nominal to be 700, capable of developing; 4000. The vessels would be splendidly fitted up, and the passenger accommodation provided would be sufficient for 84 first class, 34 second Class, and 450 third class, or a total of 569. At an average draft of 21 feet the speed on trial would be 14f- knots, but at sea, under ordinary circumstances, the average speed would be 12-§- knots. Provision would be made for carrying 2400 tons of coal, which would be sufficient for the voyage under ordinary circumstances. It is estimated that the steamers would do the outward trip via the Cape of Good Hope in 42 days, and 'the homeward voyage via the Suez Canal in 40 days. The suggested passenger rates would be, saloon £70. second cabin £35, and steerage £18, the General Government guaranteeing to find a specified number of 'steerage passengers (emigrants) for the outward trip. It is calculated that wit.) an alternate month's service, only two full cargoes of wool per annum would be obtained and that during the remainder of the year the steamers would require to depend chiefly upon wheat as homeward cargo, probably jobtain a freight of 45s per ton. .Founding upon elaborate data carefully obtained, it is estimated that the three steamers would cost £115,000 each, or £3-15,000 in all. The estimated amount of capital required to work the undertaking wo|pld be £365,000. Allowing for interest on capital invested, and ;takingiuto account the working expenses on one; band and the earnings on the other, the conclusion has, we believe, been arrived at by Mr Galbraith that yearly subsidy of about £80,000, from the Colony to the contractora, would be required to carry out the service. The suggested port of departure outwards would be London, calling at a port in the Channel (outwards and homewards) to embark aud disembark passengers and maiia. The proposed contractors desire that the fixing of the port of arrival and departure in New -Zealand should be left in their own hands. They emphatically declare that both dry dock and wharfage accommodation would require to be available in the Colony for the use of the steamers. The length of dock and jitty required must not be less than 410 foet, and the draft of water for admittance to former 22 feet, and alongside the latter 24 feet. It should be understood that the proposal is still only in its initiatory stage, and that Messrs Galbraith and Denny tio not at present positively commit themselves to a tender. Nevertheless, these gentlemen think that after they have been placed in possession of the views of the New Zealand Government on the subject, and an agreement arrived at as to the amount of the Bubsidy. they will then be in a position to treat definitely with the Agent-General for carrying out the service, provided the contract is for not less than eight years. The ultimate gain to the Colony by the establishment of such a service would be enormous. Emigfantß of all classes would at once be attfJcted to our shores. The short voyage of 42 days in such splendid steamers would be regarded as a pleasure trip. Besides large numbers of people possessed of capital would visit the Colony

to ascertain the nature of its resources, and many of them would settle in it altogetherr the coining to our shores of such a class of people means the introduction of a large amount of capital, in the. aggregate which would be used to a certain extent in the acquisition and improvement of land, thereby securing the promotion of settlement. We trust the Government may see their way to the establishment of this steam service at no long distant day. It will involve outlay to secure this object, but such outlay will m the long run be repaid a hundredfold.