The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1875-07-28

AN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL.
DEVOTED TO HAWAIIAN PROGRESS.
PUBLISHED AND EDITED By
HENRY NJ. WHITNEY.
WEDNESDAY. JULY2S
The second paper on the cruise of the Cbal
lesge- viii be found on our fourth page. II
details some Of the discoveries made in ocean
vegetation and fauna. The great depth at
which some Of the specimens Of the animal
kingdom were discovered and brought to the
surface VIII attract atteution-sea slugs and
shells from depth Of $50 fathoms, and urch-
ms from 1000 fathoms, and sponge from 1000
! fathoms Near the close Of the article, Consul
Reeve introduces our readers to the individual
members Of the scientific corps Of this ship,
whose researches viii add much to the limit
ed knowledge heretofore possessed Of the ami
nal life Of the deep sea. The arrival Of tide
Challenger at this port yesterday, will give
additional interest to these reports.
THE communication Of Mr.. Davies, in anoth-
er column, refers to a matter in which all are
more or less interested, on which there is con-
siderable uneasiness felt among merchants
The fact that but few here can know what the
stipuiatiOns Of the treaty are until after It is
finally ratified, and perhaps month after it
has been law in America, places US in very
disadvantageous position as compared with
merchants residing In America, who may be
only too eager TO giut our limited market with
an overstcck Of free goods. It is possible that,
now the treaty has been signed by the Presi-
dent, It has been published in America, IN which
case all may be placed on the same footing.
Another topic to which Mr. Davies alludes-
that Of labOr-is equally important, and one in
which some prompt and definite action should
be taken, # It has not already been. The po-
sition which he occupies, as agent for sew
eral sugar plantations, enables him to speak
knowingly and feelingly on this subject.
By the mail steamer from Australia, we
have the gratifying news that contract has
been closed in London for the performance Of
the Australian Mail Service via this port and
San Francisco, Its details are these:
The contractors are John Elder and John
Macgregor Of Scotland. with the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company and the Central and Union
Pacific Railroads.
The term Of service is for eight years from
November 20, ISIS, when the service is to
begin.
The contractors are to receive S44s.75O per
anuum for thirteen trips performed each way
boats 70 leave Sydney and Otago every IS days,
November 20, the subsidy to be
shared equally by New South Wales and New
Zealand.
The rate of speed is to be II knots an hour,
or ga knots day.
The vessels are to touch at Honolulu and
FIJI. on both the outward and return trips.
The forked service has been fixed on,
VIZ: that which requires two steamers TO per
form the service between Fiji and Sydney and
Auckland. BY this arrangement both colonies
are placed on an equal basis. This last plan
was originally suggested in 1872 to Mr. Webb,
by the editor Of this paper, in which it was
first published early in 1873. When fully
adopted and carried into effect If Will be found
to be the most popular as 1t is the most equitable
for the two colonies served, the through boats
first to Sydney and then to Auck-
land, a reserve boat carrying the mails, pas
sengers and freight to or from FIJI and the
other colony.
The contract requires to be ratified by the
parliaments Of New South Wales and New
Zealand but as both governments have adopted
il as a government measure, there is no doubt
it viii be ratified. Should 1t, however, be re-
iected by..New South Wales, the government Of
New Zealand viii undoubtedly ratify II, and
carry It out single-handed.
It is understood that Mr.. John Elder of
Glasgow viii provide the two fine steamers
lately built by him for this service. Mr.. Mac
yregor viii provide the Mikado, now employed,
and the Pacific Nail Company viii furnish two
vessels, probably the Yasco &c Cana and Van
oouver, as they must be under the English flag.
All these boats, except perhaps the last named,
are very fine ships. Regarding the Vancouver,
We are not SO fully informed, as to her speed
and accommodations.
The Colonies win be very fortunate if they
ratify the contract made with this strong CON-
DinatiOn Of Scotch and American capital.
Nessrs. J. Elder Of Glasgow and J. MacgregOr
IF Leith are well known to the commercial
world as wealthy ship builders and owners;
while the Pacific Nail Company, with the
Central and Union Pacific Railroads represent
! capital Of one hundred and fifty millions of
dollars. 1t is for the interest of the railroad
10 attract all the travel across the
Continent that is possible, while the Pacific
nail company has the reputation of providing
travellers with unsurpassed accommodations
N every route which II controls. It is more
han probable that the rates to through passen-
-a-S Fr1-n Sydney or A--l1.,s >,