The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-05-13
The San Francisco and Sydney
Mail Route.

In the Sydney Morning Herald, of March
Goth. we find a full and interesting account of a
special general meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce of that city, held on the previous day, to
take into consideration the question of steam
postal communication with Europe via FIJI and
San Francisco. The sense of the meeting, pretty
freely expressed by the members. was that it was
highly important for the interests of Sydney and
of the Colonies on the Eastern coast of Australia
to keep open the route. 1t was stated that from
letters sent by the outward passage alone. Il
revenue of & 1913 was received during the twelve
months. And it was found by calculation that
the total revenue received, including inward
mails, would be about "a 600 for the twelve
months. About EGO. 200 per annum would be
spent in Sydney for wages, Goals, repairs, etc.
The maintenance of the mail route via San
Francisco would strengthen the position ofSydney
as a commercial depot. The following letter was
read from Mr.. 81. H.. Hall, u. S. Consul:
o.. S. CONSULATE. SYDNEY, ,
Grafton Wharf. March 81, 1871.
To the Chairman Of the Chamber Of Com. Sydney:
SIR,-I notice by an advertisement in this days
Morning Herald that a meeting of the Chamber
will be held this afternoon in reference to the San
Francisco Postal Route.
Il luluh II lEhL " lLiOt III JO0 thAN l. hdNV ONC At
San Francisco completing my arrangements for
carrying out this service via FIJI and Honolulu, and
thence 20 San Francisco, but regret to find on my
return that the New South Wales Government have
not placed any sum on the estimates for 1871, as a
subsidy for this service, and until L have some secu-
rity from the Government that a subsidy will be
granted, L shall be compelled to abandon the under
taking.
may inform you that the New Zealand Govern
ment offered me a subsidy of e45, 900 on condition
of my making Dunedin the terminus,-and also that
the Melbourne Government have offered me a liberal
subsidy provided | made Melbourne the terminus
both offers | have refused.
No doubt you are aware that what is termed the
"Neilson Contract with the New Zealand Govern
ment has fallen through. 1 have it from undoubted
authority that the proposed "Webb line will not
be subsidized by the American Governmental as
certained while at San Francisco that it is not favor
ably looked upon by the merchants there. believing
that it is a speculation for the purpose of enabling
Webb to dispose of his steamers, which are totally
unfit to carry out any mail service.
l also found that if | go right through to San
Francisco with the present boats, 1 shall meet with
liberal support. The merchants there do not enter
tain any prejudice against the steamers employed by
me, as has been so frequently represented in the
newspapers.
The municipal authorities at San Francisco assure
me that every facility will be granted to my boats,
such as wharf accommodation, pilotage. and other
port dues, as all are anxious for a permanent line
between that port and the Colonies. 1 am also as
snred by the railway authorities that / may depend
Oh Hdflug III Sdlnc privileges anu ldclllIl6S WHICH .
are granted to other steam companies.
| may also inform you that at an interview l had
with the postal authorities, they assured me that if
the Australian mails should arrive within an hour
of the departure of the mail trains they would be
forwarded on at once and as two such trains leave
San Francisco daily, no detention of the Australian
mail can occur.
In conclusion, I may inform you, that from inter-
course with the merchants at San Francisco. l lnve
every reason to believe that the Australian line will
meet their warmest support. ]
The advantages to be derived from this service to
the Colony would justify any measures being taken
in order TO secure the permanency o. the Pacific
route as n mail service
| may add that if this line is maintained about
100000 will annually be expended in the Colonies.
L estimate the exports at about e120 900 per
annum the imports from Honolulu, G72. 900 per
annum the imports from San Francisco, EDS 900.
Estimated time from Sydney to Liverpool 45 days,
making IL trips annually. would secure a fortnightly
communication.
ostmaster-Genera here showing the amount of
hostages received by this Government for outward
rates by the California mail. Had the Post Office
notice been positive that letters, &c, would have
transmitted, the receipts would have been
considerably augmented. The inward mails have
much larger than the outward.
L shall be happy to afford any other information
vOu may require. ]
l am, dear Sir. yours respectfully, I
H. H. HALL, U. S. c. !
The Cahmber subsequently passed a resolution s
o the effect that it was in their opinion highly /
esirable for the interests of the Colony that Il 7
ubsidy should be granted for a mail service via S
iii and Honolulu, and a deputation from the
waited on the Premier with a view of
ecuring the influence Of the Government in it's 7
lvor. 8
By the City IF Melbourne, which is booked for /
ere about the Oath inst, we may hear of some {
action taken by the New South Wales
in the matter of the proposed subsidy. I