SAN FRANCISCO MAIL ROUTE,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 617, 14 May 1870, Page 2

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL ROUTE,

A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, for the purpose of hearing explanations from Mr Collie, the accredited .agent of Mr Webb, shipbuilder, New York, on the proposed mail service between these Colonies and America, was held at three o'clock yesterday afternoon. There was a large attendanoe of members and others who had received invitations. The Chairman (Mr Inglis) pointed out the desirability that existed for the establishment of a mail service between this colony anil America. Mr Collie had kindly consented to attend the meeting, in order to afford all the information in his power as to the line to San Francisco proposed by Mr Webb, of New York, of whom he was the accredited agent. Mr Collie, he was sorry to say, was not in good health, and he must therefore be excused if he did. not enter so fully into the matter as he would if health permitted him. He had now much pleasure in introducing Mr Collie to the meeting. Mr Collie said that the proceedings at Wellington in connection with the subject o! his mission had been so fully noticed by the papers of that city, that he thought it would be unnecessary for him, even if his health permitted, to address the meeting at any great length. He was, as they were aware, accredited by Mr Webb, the great shipbuilder and shipowner and influential citizen of New York, to visit these colonies, at the instigation of his (Mr Collie's) firm; and, after repeated calls from influential inhabitants of San Francisco, with a view to the establishment of a line of steamers between San Francisco and these colonies, and the obtaining of the necessary subsidies from the governments of the United States, New Zealand, Honolulu, and the Australian colonies. Mr Webb, on obtaining sufficient subsidies, was ready to perform the .service with four very powerful steamers, Lviz. — I The Nebraska— A l at Lloyds, 2143 tons register; 3000 tons builders' measurement; 850 horse power; 286 feet long, and 41 feet beam; built in May, 1867, and averaged 15 J knots on her trial trip. The Nevada — Al ; 2145 tons register; 85 inch cylinder, 12 feet stroke; 284 feet on main deck, and licensed to carry 838 passengers. Average speed on trial trip, 15 knots, and built in December, 1867. The Dacotah— A 1 at Lloyds ; 2150 tons register; 281 feet long, and 41 feet beam; 83 inch cylinder, and 12 feet stroke. Licensed to carry 720 passengers. The Santiago de Cuba — 1627; 560 horse power; 237 feet long; 38 feet beam. Built in 1861 and rebuilt in 1867. Two of these, boats were at San Francisco when he left on the 3rd of February last and the other two could be brought round in the course of two or • three months. Mr Webb would be ready to commence the service in two months' time after it was finally negoj ciated. From the size and capacity of these boats, they would see that they were capable of performing the service in an efficient manner. For performing this service, Mr Webb asked the sum of £150,000 for twelve services. Part of that amount they expected to get from the United States, part from Honolulu, and the balance from these 'colonies. He had reason to believe that the United States would contribute liberally towards this service. The Government of Honolulu, though very small,

had promised a subsidy commensurate with their means. Mr Webb expected that these colonies would subscribe something like jEBO,OOO for twelve services. They had chosen Honolulu as one of the places of call, because provisions, coals, and every other, necessary could be obtained at a cheaper, rate than at San Francisco, and this fact would be an inducement to any contractor to call there. Since he had been in the country he found that a branch line to New Zealand would not be satisfactory to the colony; neither would it be satisfactory that steamers leaving New Zealand should go in the first place to Fiji. They would be going through an intricate lot of islands, and no Insurance Company could insure against the heavy loss of mails if any accident should occur. Therefore, he (Mr Collie) had no objection to abandoning the call at Fiji. As to the port of call in New Zealand, he would leave the question pretty much to the commerce of the country. For his own part, he would, as a contractor, '■ prefer Wellington as the port of call before Auckland, because of its accessibility both day and night. He had reason 1 to believe that Melbourne would be disposed ■ to subscribe liberally if that city were made the terminus of the line. If so, then Wellington, so far as he was concerned, would be the port of call, if it were agreeable to New Zealand generally. It was intimated at a meeting in Wellington that Tahiti, would be a proper place to call at. He had lived there 13 years, and he objected in toto to going to Tahiti, but if the colonies determine that the steamers should call there, he should accede to their wishes, and go even to South America if they paid him to do so. If they called at Tahiti they could obtain nothing but coal. He had known the provision market there to be unsupplied for three full days, and the people had now to import cattle, &c, from Honolulu, at the present moment. Mr Collie produced plana of the proposed route, and drawings of the steamers which it was proposed should be employed in the service. He also enumerated tho distances between the several ports on the proposed route, and stated that the distance between Melbourne and San Francisco could be accomplished by Mr Webb's steamers in 33 days. He should be happy to answer any questions that might be put to him. In reply to Mr Hassal, Mr Collie said that all the boats were about ready, and that Mr • Webb would be able to proceed with the service in about two months' time after receiving the subsidies from the various, governments. In reply to Mr Walton, Mr Collie said that he was offered the purchase of the contract held by Mr Hall, but as the subsidy given to Mr Hall was a mere trifle, he could not think of taking over the contract. Mr Hall must depend upon the passenger traffic to make the thing pay at all. He (Mr Collie) believed that Mr Hall would not get a single passenger if Mr Webb's steamers were on the line. Mr Webb proposed to carry the mails only to San Francisco. Mr Walton : Then you want us to give an expression of approval of your line ? Mr Collie replied in the affirmative. Mr B. Rhodes of Wellington desired to say a few words. He wished to inform the meeting as to the position which the matter had assumed in Wellington. A pamphlet urging the claims of Wellington as the port of call, had been published. A very large public meeting, perhaps the largest ever held in that city, was held on the Uth instant, and a report of the proceedings was published in the Wellington Independent of the 12th. The feeling of the people of Wellington was that such a chance had not arisen before and might not arise again of taking advantage of what he might call Mr Webb's scheme, People acquainted with steamers, must know that Mr Hall's contract must fall through. It was quite impossible it could be carried on with profit to Mr Hall. He had no vessels, of his own, and had been obliged to charteri them. This contract had been made by one man, totally without the sanction of the other members of the Ministry, and he believed that it would be put aside when the Assembly met. . He believed they would all agree that ... it was a question of the greatest importance that they should get closely connected with America. Mr Webb had great influence with the Government of that country. He had already a fleet of 5 or 6 splendid ships capable for the trade, and which could be brought round to San Francisco within two or three months from the time that the contract might be accepted. In America there would be a ready market for all our preserved - meat whetherintinsor otherwise, and for our wool, butter, cheese, &c, and the line proposed by Mr Collie would also open up communication with Japan, to say nothing of China or India. Mr Walton moved, « That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr Collie for hia kindness in so clearly explaining the nature of the proposed scheme for the new route to .-'. England, via San Francisco, and, seeing the very great importance to the trade of the colony, of having a firmly established line of powerful mail steamers between New Zealand and England, as also, the great advantages which must accrue to the Australian colonies by a closer connection with America, this meeting is of opinion that, in the event of the non-fulfilment of tht present contract, the Government of this colony should give the fullept support to the ' scheme proposed by Mr Collie." Mr J. D. Macpherson seconded the resolution. Mr Montgomery considered that the resolution was of too binding a character, and moved as an amendment, that the word M support" be struck out, and " favourable consileration" inserted in lieu thereof. Mr George Gould seconded the amendment. M.ssrs Curtis and Macpherson spoke in support of the resolution. A show of hands was taken, and the amendment was carried.

The resolution, as amended, was then put I and affirmed. - •- ... The Chairman conveyed ; the • resolution to j Mr Collie, who returned thanks and pointed out the great benefits that were likely to accrue to New Zealand by a more intimate connection with the continent of America. . The proceedings then terminated.