THE "STOltdl" BIRD."

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1515, 19 April 1861, Page 2

THE "STOltdl" BIRD."

The public will be gratified to learn that the Wellington Steam Navigation Company yesterday purchased the Storm Bird. The price agreed to be given is £3,500, a portion of which (£2,000) is to be paid in the course of a few days. It is a matter of congratulation that the Wonga Wbnga has not only worked up a trade sufficient to keep her as ac-

tlvdy amptdydd da she id ; kfc stick a^ to require the heip of ft second steamer 1 to enable its further development. Thk is a natural result, and the two will necessitate a third in the ordinary course' of events. The more frequently communication is maintained between given points, the more traffic is induced. This is an axiom, the truth --qjp which such of us as are acquainted with* the economics of the old country fully recognise; and the many more of us who possess the like knowledge with respect to these colonies cannot fail to admit. When the Wonga Wonga first traded from this port, a very heavy subsidy was needed to keep her afloat. Tho £2000 a year she first required from the Provincial Government of Wellington, has long been reduced to £500, and not more than double that amount will now be wanted to maintain the two — Hawke's Bay and Marlborough contributing additionally. The union of these three provinces can only be effected by means of steam. No road is likely to be made through the native owned Eorty-Mile-Bush for many years, &nd then it can never supersede, either in speed or cost of conveyance, sea-going communication. No sailing communication with Marlborough could long enable us to compete, in trade, with neighbouring, Provinces who possess the advantage of local steamers. The benefits thus conferred upon trade, are large ; but it is not in this light that we look upon the propriety of a Government subsidy, so much as it is the facilities which steam affords for postal purposes. The English Government is very j chary in pecuniarily assisting mere trading companies; but is most liberal in its subsidy for improving and extending postal arrangements. The experience, of years has shown the increased social and general advantages which spring from the rapid and certain conveyance, of (mails, and Colonial Governments have done wisely in following its example — nothing tending so much towards establishing a population, as the removal of that feeling of isolation which remote points experience when their means of communication with the outer world is uncertain and tedious. Both the East and West Coasts will be greatly advantaged by the running of the Storm Bird, and the latter is, we believe, to have the European mail forwarded on to Wanganui immediately on its arrival here.