ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1097, 20 February 1871, Page 2

ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

BRILLIANT PROSPECTS OF THE

STEAMSHIP LINE .^

[News of the World.] The news brought from New Zealand by Mr Neilson, in regard to the terms obtained through Mi Vogel's contract, delights every one here. The enlightened liberality of the New Zealand Governnifnt. in granting a subsidy of nearly 366,000 dollars gold, has been fully appreciated here, and the terms granted were certainly much better thnn could have been expected. Ne* Zealand *nti reap the full advantage in the establishment of a line of first- class steamships' to her leading port.^ The steamers are now here, and no delay need be anticipated. Doubtlees the leading Australian colonies will come into this arrangement, and subsidize the line. Meantime Mr Neils on has left for Washington, to lay Mr Voxel's contract before Messrs Webb and Holiday. The action of Congress in regard to the subsidy will not be delayed, for it is fully understood that the bill would have been passed last session but for the late hour at which it was introduced. Th# steamer will certainly start by the stipulated time.

The following hisrhly important action on the part of the Senate Committee at Washington on post office matters is printed as is stood in Atlantic telegraphic despatches received on the 12th j— Washington, Jan. 11—The Senate Committee on post office and .post roads agreed at their meeting to-day to report favorably upon the bill to establish a line of American steamers between San Francisco and Australia, stopping at Honolulu and one or two ports, and to granp the line an annual subsidy for twelve years of 50,000 dols,, with, the consideration that thirteen trips be made each yaar. A second despatch, dated Washington, January 12th, says that in the Senate "Mr Ramsey, from the Committe on Post Offices and Post Roads reported a bill authorizing j&e establishment of oceajgfe mail steamship service between the United State* and Australia. It directs the Post-master-General to contract with William H. Webb, Ben Holladay, and associates, for carrying the mails monthly between San Francisco and Australia and New Zealand by a line of steamships, at a compensation not exceeding 500,000 dollars .per annum.' .

The Gkadatioi* of Royal akd other Salaries.—The Emperor of Russia gets £5000 salary a day; the Sultan, £3600 • the King of Prussia, £1640: Victor Emmanuel, £1168 ; Queen Victoria, £1250 ; Leopold of Belgium, £368, and President Grant, £16.