The Inter colonial Mail Steamer Prince Alfred.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VII, Issue 343, 26 February 1859, Page 3

The Inter colonial Mail Steamer Prince Alfred.

This splendid vessel arrived in our roadstead early on Monday last, having made the run from Sydney to Nelson in 5^ days. She is barque rigged, upwards of 220 feet in length, measures 800 tons, and is fitted with engines of 200 horse power. Her capacious poop, 70 feet in length, contains a saloon and ladies cabin tastefully decorated and elegantly furnished, besides numerous state cabins replete with every comfort. Beneath is the cabin for second class

passengers, affording accommodation equal to that of ordinary sailing vessels.

The punctuality with which the steam service has hitherto been performed by the Lord Ashley and Lord Worsley fully proves that the vessels of the inter colonial steam company could efficiently carry out the whole steam service of the Colony. It is therefore much to be regretted that the General Government should, instead of endeavouring to render the service profitable to the spirited contractors, have actually subsidised an opposition line to run on the East Coast in conjunction with that established by the Wellington Provincial Government. We hear that Mr Sewell is opposed to the Mail steamers carrying live stock, but provided the contractors perform the mail service according to the terms of their contract we question the right of the government to inteifere with their carrying trade. So far as this Province is concerned if the shipment of stock be prohibited steam communication will be of 1 ttle benefit to us, and our whole community would loudly protest against any such ridiculous arrangement.

Since our last issue we have to announce the arrival on Monday of the December English Mail, and Mr. Sewell, by the Inter Colonial Steam Ship Prince Alfred. The Mail consisting of 21 boxes and 9 bags was landed at 9 a.m., sorted, and the Auckland portion ready for reshipment at 5 p.m. During the day about 76 tons of cargo, transhipped from the Lady Alice at Nelson, were landed and 17 tons and 375 sheep put on board for Auckland.

We have given insertion to Mr. Hulke's letter because we agree with him that some fixed course of action should be decided on prior to the arrival of His Excellency the Governor. We accord Mr. Hulke due credit for earnestness of purpose and thorough honesty of intention, but we regret that he should have introduced offensive personalities into the discussion of a subject of paramount importance to the future prosperity of this Province. His letter contains much that is worthy the earnest consideration of the settlers of Taranaki, who one and all must be aware that without a further supply of land the Province will rapidly retrogiade.