STATE STEAMERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6273, 2 September 1898, Page 2

STATE STEAMERS.

THE LYTTELTON-WELLINGTON SERVICE. REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE. ! [From Ora Cobhespondient.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 1. The committee set up to devise means of improving steam communication between Wellington and Lyttelton has, drawn up its report,. and it will be presented to the House to-morrow afternoon. The committee finds : j That the importance of the traffic between' the two islands is such as to demand a faster, and more punctual service. That the time occupied in the journey between Dunedin and Auckland by rail' anct steamer should not exceed fifty-one hours, instead of three or four days, as is the case by; the existing unconnected service. That the railway timetables should be recast so that the steamers could run to connectf with the through express trains in both islands, without any unnecessary delay either 1 at Wellington or Lyttelton. That to make this possible the connecting steamers should, in ordinary weather, be capable of running between these ports in eleven, or, at most, twelve hours. It is suggested that in order to accomplish this with reasonable regularity the steamers to be provided should be of about 2000 tons burden and fitted with twin screws, to cobb from £60,000 to £70,000 each, delivered at Wellington. The committee recommends the Government, in the meantime, to invite tenders for the performance of a daily steam service between Lyttelton and Wellington each way, and is of opinion that any direct) loss involved in maintaining it would be recouped by the increase in the passenger traffic between the two ports and the increased railway traffic, and by the saving to*, be effected by dispensing with the numerousspecial trains at present run for the purpose of distributing the San Francisco and otherocean mails.