The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-07-23
The Australian Mail Service.

The question of the Australian mail service
subsidy Is rapidly approaching a satisfactory
settlement. We understand, on good authority
from Washington, that the $500 900 subsidy
asked for by Mr.. Webb for his line of steamers
will undoubtedly be granted, and we have every
reason to expect that the first vessel of the new
line will start before the end of the current
month. There is every reason to suppose that
the subsidy of $50 900, equal to $400 900, asked
for the entire Colonial service, will also be readily
granted when the matter is placed before their
local governments in its true light. Mr.. Collie,
the accredited and authorized agent Of Mr..
Webb, has been FOR some time agitating the
matter in Australia and New Zealand but, SO
far, he had to deal with a great many difficulties
rum those In the interest OF the first line.
Mr.. Hall, of Sydney, having heard of the
intention of Mr.. Webb to start a line of steamers,
subsidized by the United States and the Colonies,
saw his opportunity to make a little money, and,
possibly, become a part or whole proprietor in a
trans-Pacifc line. So, with his limited resources,
he started a line; and, in the hurry and enthu-
siasm of the moment, attained his object, by
procuring the subsidy he now holds of S75, 900.
With this and the prestige of having established
the new line, he hoped either ~ get a subsidy
from Congress or make some advantageous coali-
ton or arrangement with Mr.. Webb. We have
not, however, been advised of his having made
any steps towards procuring a Congressional
acknowledgements of the merits and advantages
OF his enterprise, and 1t would seem that, on the
contrary, he was convinced of the hopelcssness of
the case, and at once returned to Australia.
The Misrepresentation of his party have placed
Mr.. Webb's agent IN New Zealand in an apppar-
emily false position, as well as materially impeded
his progress in getting the necessary subsidy.
Halls line now has this New Zealand subsidy,
and aside from this troublesome complication las
succeeded, unless we are much mistaken, in
injuring the immediate prospects and popularity
of the new route. When the originators of an
enterprise see no chance of its perlnanency they
are not likely to go to any great expense in pro-
viding accommodations. This we find to have
been especially the case with Mr.. Hall, and as
one of its immediate consequences the last vessel
from New Zealand, the Wonga Wonga, sailed
with but halt her due compliment of passengers.
This was altogether owing to, the cheap and
deficient accommodations provided and the gen
eral mistrust and suspicion of the line that pre-
vailed. The existence of such conditions is to be
regretted, since the popularity of the trans
Pacific route is not likely to be increased by its
originating under such unfavorable auspices.
However. we shall soon have a ~irst-class line
of ocean steamers established, and permanent
Colonial travel inaugurated on this route. The
line now dragging out a slow existence with the
aid of the New Zealand subsidy, will not interfere,
and the assistance in question will doubtless be
to the new enterprise without much
dlfIiculty.-BuUetin, July 8.