F.—6 a

4

I would mention that this proposal is in no way intended to interfere with the prospect of the Vancouver steamers calling at Auckland, which in view of the recent negotiations I think may be looked upon as certain, though it may not be possible to commence the call for twelve months. If we are fortunate in securing the contract for the Vancouver service, we propose to arrange for a fortnightly service between New Zealand and North America, via Vancouver and San Francisco alternately. For your information I append details of the route and mileages, and projected running. It may be interesting to note that the proposed service is practically the same distance as from Auckland to San Francisco via Samoa and Honolulu, and less than the Vancouver service from Auckland, the distances being as follows : — Wellington to Rarotonga ... ... ... ... ... 1,800 Earotonga to Tahiti ... ... ... ... ... 630 Tahiti to San Francisco ... ... ... ... ... 3,600 6,030 Auckland to Samoa ... ... ... ... ... 1,596 Samoa to Honolulu .. ... ... ... ... 2,250 Honolulu to San Francisco... ... ... ... ... 2,100 5,946 Auckland to Fiji ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,140 Fiji to Honolulu ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,760 Honolulu to Vancouver ... ... ... ... ... 2,430 6,330 In the event of your taking the proposal into favourable consideration, we propose starting the service from Wellington on 23rd September next or four weeks later. This, with prompt advertising, would cater for the autumn passenger-traffic from America and England. If there are further points you wish information about, I shall be glad to place myself at your disposal. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Wellington. C. Holdswobth. [Wn.-S.P. 10/17.]

Enclosure in No. 4. San Francisco Service from Wellington, via Tahiti, at Thirteen Knots.

In Cabinet, Bth August, 1910. Union Company's offer for monthly service to San Francisco, via Papeete : Offer £20,000 for one year—steamers to arrive Wellington and depart Auckland. J. Hislop, Acting-Secretary. No. 5. The Eight Hon. the Prime Minister (at Christchurch) to the General Manager, Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Christchurch, 9th August, 1910. Youn letter, 3rd August, re proposal for the establishment of service from Wellington via Papeete to San Francisco, and return to New Zealand same route : the Government is prepared to

Port. Times of Arrival and Departure. Distance. Steamingtime. Time in Port. Difference in Time (about). Miles. Days. hrs. Days. hrs. i Hrs. min. Wellington ... Rarotonga ... it '" Papeete Depart noon, Friday, 23rd September Arrive 9 a.m., Wednesday, 28th September Depart noon, Wednesday, 28th September Arrive 2 p.m., Friday, 30th September ... Depart 5 p.m., Saturday, 1st October Arrive 1 p.m., Thursday, 13th October ... J 1,800 630 J3.600 5 19 2 1 11 13 0 3 1 40 1 3 0 40 San Francisco 1 50 6,030 I 19 9 1 6 San Francisco Papeete Rarotonga ... Depart 2 p.m., Thursday, 20th October ... Arrive 6 a.m., Tuesday, 1st November ... Depart 6 a.m., Wednesday, 2nd November Arrive 6 a.m., Friday, 4th November Depart 6 p.m., Friday, 4th November Arrive 11 a.m., Friday, 11th November ... j'3,600 1 630 ] 1,800 11 2 5 13 1 19 1 0 I 0 12 1 0 1 50 40 40 it • • • Wellington ... 6,030 19 9 1 12