THE NEW MAIL SERVICE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2987, 30 April 1870, Page 2

THE NEW MAIL SERVICE.

"We are not singular in looking forward to the rapid development of an immense Pacific trade now that the United States have opened up a high road across the continent of America. Suggestions have been made in England, and steps taken by men well acquainted with these colonies, their trade and resources, to form a Pacific steam navigation company on a most extensive scale, and by an article which we reprint elsewhere from the "Alta California," published at San Francisco, it appears that the merchants of that place will not without a struggle allow America to be left behind in the competition. To anyone who will take the trouble to study the question, it will be self evident that the opening of the Pacific railway must create a great revolution in the course of trade. San Francisco, which has hitherto been dependent chiefly on its internal resources and a small trade along the South American coast, and has been assisted by coinparasively little interchange with other countries, now finds itself in the position of a central depot between the Australian colonies, with the various groups of Pacific islands, on the one side, and the great markets of America and Europe on the other. It is certain that San Francisco will also exert herself to obtain some of those prizes connected with this newly opened trade which would not necessarily fall to her lot. She sees the advantage to American commerce that the trade of the English colonies and the rapidly progressing islands should be if carried in American bottoms ; she is aware that the ownership of a powerful steam marine in these seas would be an additional security in case of an open rupture with a maritime power, and taking a national view of the question argues with justice that Congress might fairly be moved to support the young enterprize with a considerable subsidy. "We have little doubt that American legislators will be inclined to take the same view, and that a liberal vote will be granted to support an undertaking which promises to divert a large proportion of the business of the southern hemisphere into the hands of their countrymen. This was one of the main objects of the formation of the Central Pacific Eailway, and it is not probable that the efforts of our American cousins to secure our trade will cease with the successful accomplishment of the most difficult part of the work which presented itself. "We have spoken of our modest little service as only the pioneer of a great enterprise. It needs but to refer to the interest displayed in the question in England and America to be convinced that such is the case, and on the establishment of any one of the projected companies bringing a command of capital to bear upon the matter, we shall necessarily drift or be driven into union with them. We do not regard the new route with favor only as possessing advantages for a passenger and postal line. The increased facilities of communication will necessarily develop c a large direct trade. Much of the raw material we export finds its way into America for manufacture through the British markets, while the American manufactures now reaching us through the same channel are in growing demand throughout the colony. Taking Melbourne and San Francisco as the termini of the ocean Hue, there is a great variety of opinion as to the route to be adopted across the Pacific. It is difficult to arrange any scheme by which the requirements of New Zealand, Queensland and Melbourne can be met, and when the question of subsidy is raised, the two latter colonies either hold aloof or demand concessions which are inconsistent with the efficiency of the service. "Whatever route is adopted New Zealand must gain the chief benefit, and we think that the several Australian colonies might be made to share almost equal advantages were either "Wellington to be made the depot from which branch steamers would run to Sydney and Melbourne, or as we once before suggested, if the main line ran to the Fijis and on to Melbourne, with branches to New Zealand, Sydney, and Brisbane. But, however, these different requirements may at last be reconciled, we may be sure that the question will be determined by the commercial interests involved, and the facilities for navigation offered by the different routes. The question will shortly become one of such magnitude that any consideration of local interests or jealousies, will have to give way to that of the most safe and expeditious means of transport, and if the work is taken up by a company sufficiently wealthy to be independent at first of any large subsidy the route will practically be decided without special reference to any one of the colonies concerned.

A letter has been received by Mr W. E. King, from his nephew, Mr J. W. Cotching, of London, containing interesting information with regard to the iron sand. Mr Cotching was engaged in Mr C. Martin's expriments, and when his process was found to be useless this gentleman continued experiments, and finally took out a patent by which he states that he can smelt it as cheaply as any other ore, or cheaper. He derides the efforts of local inventors, considering their process too expensive, and is prepared to come out and establish works, if sufficient inducement offers, for which he states that a great ironmaster and M.P. has almost promised the necessary funds. He has smelted 100 tons of the sand, and the process is announced as perfectly successful by Professor Abel and others. The Decay of the Teeth and Gums arises faora various causos ; but principally it may bo attributed to early neglect, ill-health, and tho übo of tooth-powders, containing mineral and other deleterious acids, whioh give a momentary whiteness to the teeth, while they corrode the enamel, it is highly satisfactory to point out Messrs Rowlands' Odonto or Pearl Dentrifiee, as a preparation free from all injurious elements, and eminently calculated to embellish and preserve the dental structure, to impart a grateful fragrance to the breath, and to embellish and perpetuate the graces of the mouth. It may be obtained at most of the principal Stores and Chemists' Shops throughout the country, — Advt, 3.