OTAGO.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1897, 21 July 1863, Page 3

OTAGO.

Ocr files from this Province are to the 16th iust. THE MAIL SERVICE. The Hon. Mr Header Wood, the Colonial Treasurer had an interview with the members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, on the 15th inst, on the subject of the Mail Service between Otago and Melbourne, as well as the Mail Service generally. After considerable discussion, the following points were agreed upon. A sum of £350 monthly is to be placed at tbe disposal of the Post Master-Gee eral by the Government to be offered as a bonus to any vessel, other than the Aldinga, leaviug with tbe mails within 24 hours after their arrival, and landing them in Otago in not more than nine days. This arrangement will in fact, [only cost the colony £lßooa-year, as there is already a bonus of £200 a trip, open to the Aldinga in case she brings on the mails. Mr Wood further informed the Chamber, in reference to their request for increased communication with the Norib, that a steamer had been secured to run constantly between Wellington, Wangunui, Taranaki, Raglan, and Manukau, and that considering the means of communication between Oiago and Wellington, and that the Airedale and Lord Ashley ran regularly between the North and the Souih, there ought to be something like a regular weekly communication between Otago and the North. The Daily Times, however contends that as the two company's boats running between Wellington and Olago, start very ofteu at the same time, there is practically little more than a fortnightly mail. THE LATE COLLISION. The Daily Times say 3 — The jury, after five days sitting, concluded their enquiry on the 13th instant, into the cause of the deaths of the twelve persons drowned as a consequence of a collision between the Favorite aud the Pride of the Yarra. Their verdict may be thus summarised :—Manslaughter against Captain Adams, of the Favorite, and Charles Murray, her mate. Censure upon Captain Spence, of the Pride of the Yarra, for the speed at which, under the circumstances, he was steaming; and a suggestion that the Government should enquire, whethei the Marine Board or its officers are blameable, for not sooner establishing some supervision of the harbor steam traffic.