SUMMARY FOR EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1689, 7 January 1862, Page 4

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA.

PER S. S. PUINCB ALFRED.

Welling lon Independent Office, Tuesday, Januaty 7, 1862. THE WELLINGTON STEWI NAVI- , GATION COMPANY. i This Company was started by the purchase of the Wonga Wonga from an Auckland Company. It proceeded very well for 3ome time, but a few months «iace presented rather unpromising prospects, so much so that it was doubtful whether it would not be wound up, but better times arrived, and the little boat was soon so successful that it was evident iv justice to the interests ofihe company another boat must be procured. The Company heard of a suitable boat at Otago, a few months since, the Storm Bird, and treated successfully with the proprietor for the purchase. At the time of her arriving here the Company had about half the sum required to purchase her; the earnings of the Wonga Wonga, after paying a dividend regularly often ijper cent per annum. With this and the subsequent earnings of the two boatSj the Storm Bird has baen purchased Not only are both boats iv full employment, . but there is more work than they can do, and it is in contemplation to purchase another boat, which idea we hope will be , converted into a determination as soon as I possible, lest the golden opportunity I should be missed. Talking with an intelligent and spirited proprietor the other day, he made 'what we consider a capital suggestion, which we shall avail ourselves ofnow,believing that the sooner it is generally known the batter, as we have hopes a useful issue may result from it. The suggestion was, that another boat should be obtained •■and the Wellington so work iii ponnecition with the Mail Steam Company as to •create a weekly steam service between Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago and we believe other places, but of this we are not certain. In this way when the Assembly is sitting here, members i could absent themselves at their convenience, with the permission of the House, for short periods, without neglecting their legislatorinl duties, greatly to the advantage of their business, and the comfort of their homes. The gentleman referred to, believes that there is "nearly business to employ another boat, and that with a little assistance from the Government, this great boon to mem bers'not residing here could be managed. Further, that members should have their passages free during the Session, of course the passages coming at the beginning and departing at the eirl of the Session would be paid for, as heretofore by the General Government. Free passages are only proposed on the occasions ( bu which payment would not be marie by „t he,! Government, and while such would evince great liberality on the part of the Company we believe it would be one of the very best though moderate expenditures the Company could ever make. We like the notion so well; and conceive it to be so thoroughly animated by a \yise_ liberality, that in offering it to the immediate consideration of both the Government and the Company, we cau only add if they produce the influence they did iustautly upon us when suggested, we may consider the arrangement as good as completed.