The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-09-26

as can be retained on the guarantee Of the Gov
erBment, will suffice 70 keep the service going for
the present. and until new arrangements can be
made so that our English readers may be assured
that whoever else is { ismayed the Government OF
this colony is not, but viii either arrange to have
the service temporarily continued or will carry 1t
on itself until q fresh permanent contract can be
entered into. No doubt whatever exists in Sydney
as TO the policy Of maintaining this line OF mail
communication, nor Is there anything ike regret
at the colony having committed itself 10 the enter
prise. Every reason which justified lts inception
justi6es its maintenance, and il will be carried
through in spite Of all obstacles.
The events Of the past month though net exactly
Of q sensational character have not been altogether
devoid of interest. That which has perhaps exercised
the public mind most, is the position Of the San Fran
cisco mail service, which was threatened With = tenn
porary interruption. This has not only been aveTted
by the timely aid Of the A ) n Co, but We have
had q public assurance from the Premier that the line
will not be closed, even though the contract with the
Australian and American Mail Company should
break down. Since this announcement was made
the Colonial Secretary proceeded to the Riverine dis
trict, and there, we learn by telegram. he has pro
missed speedy railway communication with Sydney as
well SIS an amended land law, enabling those who
wish to combine grazing and agriculture TO take up
larger areas of land than are obtainable under the
present Act. As Parliament has been further pro
rogued to September 10 without the date of meeting
being notified, next session must necessarily be OF
such brief duration as TO cause the remission Of an
amended land biz 10 q new House. Extremely wet
weather in the interior, while being unfavorable TO
business, has been Of service to the agricultural and
pastoral interests, neither of which have ever pre-
scented more favorable indications than they do At this
moment. The increased yield Of our wool last year,
as shown by that portion shipped here, was 10000
bales more than the preceding one; and for the sea-
son Of 1919 We anticipate n still. larger increase.
Money has been plentiful; We believe 1t will continue
so unless some very unforeseen causes arise. Regret
is expressed for the misfortunes which have occurred
to the Torres Straits mail steamers. The Fintshire
had hardly left the colony after repairing before the
Jeddah was reported as having put into Twofold Bay,
with cargo on fire in the forehold, which neceSsitated
that compartment being scuttled. Notwithstanding
these mishaps the company's trade is steadily increas-
ing, and when their new boats are running a pros
porous business is almost certain. We regret having
to announce the untimely death of Commander Gowl-
land, X. N, Admiralty Surveyor, who was drowned
on the 14th, while taking s~oundings at Sydney Heads.
Besides being an officer of great scientific attachments
he was deseryedly respected by all classes, and his
loss is much regretted. News from the mining dis
tricts, if not startling, is at least satisfactory, and if
we do not hear of any wonderful finds, We have en-
couraging reports from the gold and tin companies, as
well as from the principal copper-producing districts.
Great interest is manifested in the forthcoming Inter-
colonial Gig Race, to take place on the Parramatta
River next month. The Sydney rOwers have met
Victorian crews in four contests, suffered defeat once,
and as that once transferred the championship to
Melbourne, they are anxious to recover it. Nothing
positive is yet known as to the departure of His Ex-
cellency Sir II. Robinson for FIJI, his full instructions
from the Home Government not having yet arrived.
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to
approve of Mr.. James H. Williams being Professionally
recognized as Acting Commercial Agent for the
United States of America, at Sydney, pending a ref
erence to her Majesty's Government.