SAN FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE.

15

E.—No. 4.

companies have most influential and wealthy bodies of shareholders (to say nothing of the numerous and important proprietaries of other undertakings interested in these places), a very large portion of the capital of the proposed Company is certain to be placed in these channels, irrespective of the general public. I may also point out the immense advantages presented by the fact, that the Board of this Company, and those of the railway companies interested with whom the arrangements have been made, will all meet in London, and can thus, if necessary, be in constant intercommunication, which can never be the case under any other organization. With the general features of the Pacific section I need not trespass upon you, as you are so fully acquainted therewith; I therefore pass at once to the following points, upon which I invite your especial attention: — («.) The Company will contract to convey the mails in the unparalleled short period of forty days ; but I am assured by most competent authorities, that, with the steamships we propose to employ and the railway facilities secured, it will eventually be reduced to an average of thirty-two or thirtythree days. Such a result can only be attained hj a thorough harmony in arrangements, for which it is necessary both Atlantic and Pacific lines of communication should be under one control; otherwise, were a steamer by any accident delayed on either side, a detention of some days on the Atlantic, or a month on the Pacific, might be occasioned. (5.) The through service, in addition, affords extraordinary facilities for commercial intercourse. Arrangements are in progress by which through tickets will be procurable, not only at every important place in Great Britain and Ireland, but also from all parts of the Continent of Europe and America, to and from the Australian Colonies. These tickets will give the option of breaking the journey for any purpose within a reasonable limit of time at all the various important places in the route, an advantage which one substantial company can alone properly offer. (c.) The route selected, passing through a portion of Canada and in connection with lines owned by British capitalists, not only binds the Anglo-Saxon race in an intimate connection, but unites the great gold-producing countries of the world with each other and the Mother Country. Facilities are afforded for emigration ; and yet, as before stated, the whole control is centred in London, and amenable to the same government and laws. (d.) It may be well to refer to the advantages of climate, unity of language, and avoidance of the discomforts and dangers of the long sea route, the extremes of temperature, &c, the expense of the route via Suez, the dangers of the Red Sea, and the trans-shipment in hot climates, all of which are points worthy of consideration. In conclusion I may mention the urgent need for more rapid communication, arising from the increasing trade of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. You are so thoroughly impressed, I am well aware, with the various points bearing on the Pacific Service, that it would be unnecessary for me to enlarge upon them. I therefore present to you that as yet no steam ships in the world have proved as efficient, safe, and economical as the British, a fact simply proved on the Atlantic by the collapse of the Collins line. And to ensure a success, financially and commercially, no other steam ships can be employed than large and powerful iron screw steam ships, built in England especially for the purpose, and fitted with every modern appliance, such as the Company are prepared to place on botli sections of the route. Experience has proved that in the long run the screw must supplant the paddle, and up to the present time British screw steam ships have never been surpassed for punctuality and efficiency. The mileage details, estimated times, &c, proposed speed, tonnage, &c, of the ships, will, I believe, be self-explanatory, and adequately satisfy you of the way in which the Company propose to work theservice, while the capital proposed (£1,000,000) should be ample to place it upon a satisfactory footing. But I may mention my Committee are so impressed with the enormous traffic likely to result from the means of intercommunication afforded, that they believe in a short time a fortnightly Pacific Service will become a necessity, and they are prepared now to contract to provide this upon a sufficient notice from your Government, and the payment of a proportionate increase of subsidy. The main object of this communication is to demonstrate that the route can only be permanently successful if worked as a whole, and that a sectional service must inevitably lead to irregularity, disappointment, and delay; that no Company can be more influentially supported, or inaugurated at a more auspicious time; that it is most important no circumstances should be allowed to delay its immediate incorporation; and that the undertaking is in every way deserving the support of the New Zealand and Australian Governments. I have, &c, The Hon. F. Dillon Bell, and Hon. Dr. Featherston, Edmund Wm. Wiieelek, Commissioners from the Government of New Zealand. Hon. Secretary.

No. 11. The Hon. I. E. Featheeston and Hon. P. D. Bell to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Sib, — London, 25th February, 1870. Adverting to our letter of the 23rd instant, on the subject of a steam service between this country and the Australasian Colonies via San Francisco, we have the honor to enclose letters which we have just received from the Secretary of the Atlantic and Pacific Company. Sir Charles Clifford, who was asked to go on the direction of this Company, assures us that satisfactory proof exists of the Company being sufficiently strong in point of finance to go on with their undertaiung ; that the Great Western Railway Company, and an Insurance Company largely interested in landed estates near Milford Haven, have expressed their determination to sustain the project; and that, notwithstanding the news of the signature of Mr. Vogel's contract at Sydney, the Atlantic and Pacific Company really mean to go on with their scheme. "We have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, &c. F. D. Bell, Commissioners. 4