THE OVERLAND MAIL SERVICE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 1111, 2 August 1871, Page 2

THE OVERLAND MAIL SERVICE.

To tlie Editor of the Tabanaki Hehald. Sir, — In reply to v letter signed "Progress" that appeared in your paper of 22nd July, 1 would say that I consider the subsidy of £3,000 paid for the overland mail service is not too much, when* it is taken into consideration the expense of running the mail coach with four horses, together with the coachmen and grooms at each station to pay, &c, &o. The former contract which " Progress" relers to as costing £600, only required three horses in all, it being a one horse mail between New Ply. mouth and Wanganui ; but Messrs. Shepard & Co. have eight stages between the same places, and their coaches and horses are all first-class. With regard to the mails not coming in regularly, I need only say that with the exception of onca or twice since the present contractors hare undertaken the service, it has been pretty punctually delivflred ; and considering the severe weather, the high state of the rivers, (many not crossable at times), it is surprising that Mr. Shepard has bee a able to keep his time at nil. It surprises me to see such remarks about bush licenses, because, if " Progress" or his friend think that any profits are to be derived from them, why did not they apply for them, and open an accommodation house for the use of travellers by the coaches all along the line. It may be all very well for a person like " Progress' 1 to any he knows persons who would have run the mail for a less sum ; but I am afraid if those persons had attempted it, they would have found it a costlier matter than they imagined, for after paying for coaches, horses, stables, they might have had to put their hands into their pockets to make up a loss, or they might have had to seek the insolvent court for protection, and allowed the mail to stop altogether. If this mail service has been started for a political purpose, I think all will acknowledge that it has been successful ; and if " Progress" wilt but have a little patience, he will find, that notwithstanding the gloomy view he tukes of the affair, and the high price he thinks is being paid for the service, that it will be cheap in the long run, and benefit him indirectly. It has already been the means of bringing New Plymouth (which has for years been isolated) in connection with other civilized portions of New Zealand ; and the effect in the future of causing settlements to spring up all along the line. As these settlements are formed, the supplies for them must naturally come from New Plymouth, and the tradesmen naturally be benefitted by it. I hear that Mr. McLean is likely to have an interview with the natives at Puriaka, ivhen their meeting takes place in September next ; if so I hope his influence will be such that not only shall we have roads opened and the telegraph running along the whole way to New Plymouth ; but also that the natives will be persuaded to allow the land to be settled on by Europeans. I have to apologise lor the length of my letter, but believing you will give fair play to all parties, I beg to sign myself " Both Sides of the Question."