FRISCO MAIL SERVICE

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13166, 10 September 1910, Page 6

FRISCO MAIL SERVICE

(Per United Press Association). AUCKLAND, September 9. It would appear that the rumours of the early resumption by Messrs Sprecklea’ steamers of the service between San Francisco, Honolulu, Auckland, and Sydney, which brought Now Zealand .vithin 28 days of England, have a fairly substantial foundation. At this afternoon’s meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce the president (Mr J. H. Gunson) read a letter written by a responsible officer in the service of the Sprockles Line, under date of iast month, as follows: ‘■'Just a lino to lot you know I am still alive, and expect to be in Auckland again about the first of the year, as it has been decided to run the ships (referring to the Sierra, Sonoma, and Ventura) on the old run again. I think this will be my last trip down here, as I shall stay in San Francisco to help fit out the other ships.” In .speaking on the question, Mr Gunson remarked that, during the iast few days an authoritative statement had been made that the vessels referred to wore being overhauled and refitted with the view of consumption of oil fuel, which would enable them easily to accomplish the run from San Francisco to Auckland in 1G days. It was indicated, moreover, that the service would be resumed in the early portion of 1911, which afforded another reason why the representations of the Auckland Chamber in connection with the proposed service via Papeete should receive effect .at the hands of. the Government. The proposed service which Parliament had yet to _ ratify could become nothing but a freight lino, both from the standpoint of mail matter and from that of the tourist traffic. It must, therefore be perfectly obvious, said Mr Gunson,, that the service which it now seemed was about to be restored would capture both freight and passenger, the time occupied, by the Spreckels service being 16 days, as against 22 days occupied by the new service under the proposals of the Government. It would therefore seem difficult for the Government to deny to the Spreckels Line the carriage of their mail matter, even at a poundage rate as formerly they carried with the facilities they offer in point of time, particularly and with the use of l vessels superior to those of the other line. And, again, the vessels of the Sierra class might . be termed up-to-date, while now that they would bo burning oil fuel, the troubles that formerly existed would disappear.