The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-02-21

As an attempt has been made to Civ
the impression TO the public that the Min
listers have not kept faith with Mr.. Webb
in the matter Of his line of steamships be
tween here and New Zealand, we Civ,
below the correspondence which has taker
place on the subject. The public car
Judge for themselves in the matter.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Webl
arrived here November goth, and sailed
for New Zealand the same day. During
the day be had conference with the Min,
listers. the result of which is set forth in
the following letter:
NOVEMBER Goth, ISL.
srR: His Majesty's Government have agreed in
view Of the conference held with you this day. to
recommend to the Privy Council Of State, to au-
thorize the payment to you OF thirtysir thousand
dollars, 10 monthly ins;allments Of two thousand
dollars, for eighteen months, commencing Deeem-
Der first, next ensuing, As subsidy toward the
maintenance Of your lire OF steamships now run
Mug between this port and the New Zealand and
the Australian Colonies
shall require stipulation that your ships shall stop
here a sufficient time to deliver and take in cargo
and that they shall not sail from this port before
the advertised time.
All POSTAGE upon our letters shall accrue to the
benefit OF this Government and no payment on the
subsidy mentioned above shall be shared with any
other Governments Your ships must also pay
reasonable regard 10 our Sunday laws.
remain, yours truly, J. Morr SMITH,
Minister Of Finance.
To VIZ H. wEBB, ESQ,
Honolulu, Il. I.
The Council which was indicated in the
above letter was held, and the result of it
was given in our issue of November 90, as
follows:
Mr. W H Webb. on his late visit here had
az Interview with the Cabinet Ministers, at which
he laid before them bis views and claims for a
SUBSIDY from this country for running his line Of
steamships from this pert to New Zealand aud to
a port or ports 90 the Australian Continent
Tue result Of the interview was that the Minis
tiers assured Mr. Webb that they would place be-
fore the Privy Council bis claims for a subsidy,
with the recommendation that it should be grant
ed. Accordingly, q Priyy Council was called for
on Thursday, the 23d inst, at IOIani Palace A
full attendance was requested there we're fifteen
members preseLt. After long discussion,
further consideration was deferred until the
next meeting which might be called to con
slider the subject. Those voting for the post
pouement wished for further information regard
ing what would be done by other Governments
interested in the route
Thus it will be seen that the Privy
Council never did refuse to authorize the
payment of the subsidy, but merely post
poned the consideration of its payment
until they should hear what might be done
bv the Governments of the various Aus
tralian Colouies-New Zealand having al (
ready taken action.
On the 18th of February the Nebraska
arrived at this port, and Mr.. Webb's
agents here sent the following letter:
HONOLULU, 1eth February, 1871.
srR: We have the honor to inform His Majesty's
Government that we have received letter from
Mr.. " z Webb, Iuformiug Us that in conjunction
with Mr. Yogel, Postmaster General Of New Zeal
and be bad arrived in syd1ey and intended to visit
the other Colonies, with whom be was in hopes OF
concluding postal contracts. Pending these nego-
tiatious, the steamers Of this line win resume their
voyages along the coast Of New Zealand as hereto
fore.
In answer to our letter Of s5th Dec last addressed
10 Mr. W H. Webb at Auckland, be informs that
be is much surprised TO learn that the subsidy
promised him by His Msjestys Government has not
been paid and that this matter has been indefinitely
postponed BIZ the Privy Council thus placing him
il ridiculous position With the Colonies TO whom
be bad made known his agreement with His Maies-
tvs Government
Your Excellency viii no doubt remember that our
Mr. Pfgger spoke to you shortly before the sailing
OF the December steamer for Australia, asking
whether His Majesty's Government were ready to
draw up and sign the contract agreed on with Mr..
Webb, and received your answer that the matter
had been postponed for two months BY the Honor
able Privy Council This answer was as surprising
10 him as it now has been to Mr. Webb, to whom
We communicated the fact. At the same time Your
Ercelleney expressed the opinion that the subsidy
agreed on would be paid to Mr.. Webb from the LIST
of December
lency that we have been instructed BY Mr.. Webb to
say that be relies on tie agreement made with him
BY His Msjesty's Government; that he expects the
promised subsidy 10 be paid; or arrangements for
its pavmeut 10 be made before the sailing of the
steamer Nebraska, nd that unless this is done be
will not be able carry in his steamers any letters,
documents. or papers whatever, eeming from the
Hawaiian Islands, addressed and intended for de-
livery 10 any point south or west of the Hawaiian
6roup. or any port or place other than San Fran
cisco. Under the contract with the New Zealand
Mr.. We5bis steamers are not bound 20
aeivers mail or even to call at the Hawaiian Islands
but Mr.. Webb has done SO in the full expectation
that His Nsjesty's Government would fulfill its
promises aud pay for mail between the Colonies
and the Hawaiian Islands to the established liue
In coming to this decision Mr. Webb has the full
assent Of the Postmaster General Of New Zealand,
which latter is entirely willing that Page Pago, in
the Navigator Islands, shoIid be made port OF {
call. which right Mr. Webb intends to embody
into any contract be T1sy make with the Australian
Colonies thus eBassag him coolest the trade of
tbs Pacific Islands ct the same central point
In conclusion we beg leave 10 say, most respect
fully. that our Senior win be kEppy TO wait upon
=oar Ercelleucy for the purpose Of making further
explanations which you may desire, and trusting
that BIS Najesty's Goyernueut vii not defer any