The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-13 00:00:00

ME ROYAL MAIL COMPANY'S

COIVTRACTS.

In the half-yearly report of the Royal Mail Com-
pany, which has been recently issued, it is stated
that the Government had increased the length of
the company's mail contract by two years, ou con-
dition that the homeward Brazilian and West India
mail packets arrived at Southampton some days
before the departure of the proximate outward
packets. The Royal Mill Company's original mail
contract would expire in 1862, but according to the
present terms it will not cease before 1864. At the
present time the Brazil steamer is despatched from
England on the 9th, and the homeward one is not
due in England before the 16th of the month, or 7
days after the departure of the proximate outward
one. The West India packets are despatched on
he 2d and 17th, and the homeward ones are not due
in England until the Ist and 16th of the month, or
one day only before the departure of the respective
proximate mails. Great complaints have been
made against these arrangements by the mer-
cantile communiy, and the desideratum is to
get the homeward-bound packets to arrive in Eng-
land several days before the respective proximate
outward packets leave, in order that the Brazilian
and West India maiLs from abroad may be
delivered in all parts of England in time fur an-
swers to be sent off immediately, and thus to lessen
the time for the course of post by nearly a fort-
night, with respect to West India correspondence,
and nearly a month as regards South American
letters. Complaints have also been made by the
mercantile community that the Brazilian packets do
not afford the accommodation for cargo which the
growing trade with South America demands.
The steamer Tamar, a vessel of about 2,000 tons
burden, was for some time on the Brazil station,
and used to arrive at Southampton on the 6th of
the month, or nine days before her contract time,
and three days before the departure of the outward
Brazil packet. She has also arrived out at Rio de
Janeiro proportionately early. It should be men-
tioned that the time at present for ine mailsteamer
to have Rio is not moveable, but fixed to the 15th
of the month, no matter at what time she arrives
out there. The Tamar, also owing to her peculiar
build, carries an enormous cargo, a larger one in fact
than the La Plata, which is nearly 2,500 tons
burden. The Tyne is a sister ship to the Titular, and
equals her in speed and in cargo capacity. The
Parana, which is now on the West India line, is a
monster ship, being upwards of 3,000 tons burden
and 800 horse power. Her space, on her departure
from this country, is now nearly fille l up with the
1,300 to s cif coil she is obliged to carry to enable
her to make the long run to St. Thomas's. On the
Brazil line she could start with 600 or 700 tons of
coal only, because of the short stages between the
numerous coaling stations on that route. She
would then have a very large space for cargo, and
she would run to and from the Brazils quickly, on
account of her great engine power, and the fine
weather generally experienced between Southamp-
ton and Braz 1. It has been resolved, therefore.. by
the Royal Mail Company to run the Tamar, Tyne,
and Parana on the Brazil line. The time of the
stay of the packe:s will be curtailed at Rio, for four
days are ample for the packets to unload and coal
there, and by these means the homeward South
American packet will arrive at Southampton so
long before the despatch of the outward one, that
there will be time for the distribution of the cor-
respondence throughout the country, and for
answers to be sent to it immediately, while the
above-named three packets will afford increased
commodation to shippers of cargo.
The Atrat ), now on the West India mail trunk
line between Southampton and St. Thomas is, per-
haps, for size, speed, and model, the finest ship Is.OESIBROIDERY FOR THE WEDDING OF THE PRINCESS
YAL. The ShanballY flora Female Industrial School,
whioii was established aboutr the time of the agricultural
afloat. She is nearly 3,500 tens burden and 800-
distress by Mrs. Welstcad, of Ballytownrcche, has 1,-
horse power. She is swifter and burns less coal than ceived a special mark of royal favour, Mrs. Wel,tead
the La Plata, which lies 200 more horse power, and having been honoured by her Majesty with a corn.
is 1,000 tons burden less than the Atrato. The man,' to supply two collars and two pairs of em-
Atrato has often arrived at Southampton on the broidered sleeves for the approaching wedding of
28th of the month, four days before her time and the Prime 83 Royal. Tile school, of which Mrs. Wel-
five days before the despatch of the outward packet. stead is the patron, has conferred considerable benefit
It has been resolved by the Royal Mel Company
her. The outward packets on many of the families of the neighbobrhocd, and has
to build three ships like assumed a high position among such establishments for
could then be
despatchedth :two or threeclay
clays latr the superior taste and originality of the na tells, as well
than at present, and, eho mewArd ones arriving as the exquisite finish of the work. It is understood
at Southampton about the 28th of the month
week would be given for the distributionTh of mails tn
that her Majlety some titre since saw at court some of
the embroidered work produced in the Shanballyore
and answering correspondence.
operation can can school, and was so highly pTeased with the design and
of these arrangements, when in
scarcely be overrated. The cours's) pos fromill workmanship that she immediately ordered a supply for
Brazil, the Cape de Verde, and the the nuptials of the Princess Royal. This is no small
honour to the Shanballymore school, and has creaitetdiona
be reduced 30 days, and from all parts of the,
West great degree of commendable pride andgrnatueras
amongst the poor girls, the produce of whose.fi has
Indies, Califor.tia, Central America, the Pacific, received to high a compliment.—Cork Conettution.