WEBB'S STEAMERS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue XXVI, 26 July 1871, Page 2

WEBB'S STEAMERS.

The following letter, containing some important information with reference to these stoamevs appeared in a San Francisco paper : — Sin, — Referring to tho strictures in the San Francisco papers issued in May, on tho coaling of the steamers of the U. S., N. Z. & A. mail steamship line on Sunday, it may be interesting to you to know that the sailing days from San Francisco were originally fix.-d by the contracting post-office authorities of New Zealand, and solely in reference to their mail days via Suez, but. Mr Webb, finding that this arrangement would bring hi 3 steamers into your port on Sunday, telegraphed this fact to London, where the Postmaster-General of I New Zealand happened to be, and requested a change. j It was then arranged so that the mails would leave London on Thursdays, San Francisco on Wednesday?, and thus bring tho steamers into your port on Thursday or Friday. Thus at much expense the Moses Taylor was despatched ten days in advanco of what would otherwise have been her regular day, viz., four weeks after the Nebraska. It should also be borne in mind that the carrying a mail half way round tho world in the quickest possible time, cannot well be arranged to meet the views or wishes of all the people served by it. nor ought it to be (or the special convenience or opinions of any one place. Therefore, to promote "the greatest good of tbo greatest number," work on Sunday, at sea and on shore, becomes a " work of necessity," and an intelligent public should be educated to so understand and submit to it. Be that as it may, the proprietors of the Una desire and intond to so conduct their business as to conform to tho laws and customs of the ports which their ahips may visit,

and when it may appear otherwise, it will be owing to circumstances unexpected, or beyond their control. R" San Francisco, June 10th, 1871. On the arrival of tho Nobraska afc Honolulu, on her last trip, the following address was presented to her captain by tbo passengers :— Captain Harding, of the steamship Nebraska— Deae Sib,— At tho conclusion of ft prosperous and agreeable passage from Auckland to tills port, we beg to tender you our several thanks for tho unfailing courtesy and the anxiety for our comfort which you have invariably exhibited, and for tho alacrity with which you have carried out any suggestion made to you on our behalf. We have much pleasure in testifying to the capabilities of the noble vessel you command, and tho ease and skill with which she has been handled by yourself and your officers. The fact of each pissenger enjoying a separate cabin is sufficient evidence of the superior accommodation afforded by the Nebraska, and we feel gratified in speaking highly of the manner in which the table has been furnished. Will you kindly present to Messrs Ross, Craig, and tho other officers of the vessel, our acknowledgments of the cheerful and conscientious manner in which they have discharged their respective duties, and seconded you in the navigation and management of the ship. Wishing you many happy passages on this route, wo remain, dear sir, — [Here follow tho names, including those of the Hon. John Johnston, M.L.C., Mr Thomas Kebbell, and Miss Flora Kebbell.]