The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-11-29
The Allan Steamers.

The Allan Steamers.
A despatch published in the paper yesterday
morning from Toronto, announced that the
Canadian government had served a notice upon
III. & A. Allan, to receive aud deliver the mails
at Halifax. This result has been feared for
some time owing to the distractions at Island
Pond, fifty named the nuisance" The mer-
chants in Canada are constantly complaining
of these needless distractions, through the
Canadian papers, and the government have at
last taken the matter in hand and have ordered
the mails sent via Halifax. Although it must
be more expensive to take the mails from Cam
ada to England via Halifax than via Portland,
and occupy more time, yet such have been the
impediments and vexatious expenses occasion
ed by the existing regulations OF the Treasury
Department, that the Canadian government
seems determined to escape them if possible.
If the mails are left at Halifax one season it
would not be strange if the goods from Canada
to England should go the same way. If this
should be the case Portland would no longer
have the benefit of these steamers. 1t is 900
miles from Halifax to Montreal by the Inter
colonial road, but even that distance will not
prevent the transfer of the steamers from this
port if this nuisance is kept up This is mat
ter of much importance to Portland and our
citizens should bestir themselves at once in the
matter. 1t seems as if the matter of the "nui-
sance" should be done away with if Secretary
Morrill, could have the support of our mer-
chants as he is said to be in favor of its remov-
al.
Sir Hugh Allan is quite unwilling that the
60 Io
fers Portland hsrbor. The following, clipped
from Halifax paper, states the outlook from
from this stand point:
The Grand Trunk and Intercolonial Railways
will furnish an outlet in winter for the trade
with the West Indies via Halifax aud ST. John,
which is gradually increasing, the passing of
outward merchandise entirely through Canadi
an territory enabling exporters to avoid the de-
tentions and official obstacles, which are not
only vexatiOus but expensive.
Every facility is afforded Canadian shippers
at this port, but at Island Pond it is entirely
different. A committee appointed to investi-
gate the nuisance report as follows:
Your committee have ascertained that the
charge of ''punctllous obstructiveness, by the
United States, on goods passing in transitu
trough their territory unfortunately is still too
true.
Let not this distraction drive the Allan
steamers from our port. Our merchants should
attend to it without delay.
THE PROMENADE CoNCERT.-Last evening
the Odd Fellows gave their promenade concert
which terminated their most successful fair
City Hall was we'll filled with large and
pleasant company. Chandler entertained them
from u to 8 O clock with or of his grand band
concerts. Five popular selections were played
as only his band can play for Portland audi
ence. At the close of the concert came the
grand march. There were just ITO couples
| who marched on and joined in the first dance.
| The order consisted of twenty dances. The
| floor was finely managed by Mr.. A. D. Smith,
assisted by A. S. Way, George II. McKenney
Isaac f. Clark, H. S. Trickey, E G. JONES'
| Geo. W. Moody, S. B. Deane and j. 81. Rus
| sell. 1t was most enjoyable affair and proved
| fitting close to the very successful fair. The
refreshment room, in charge of Mr.. Martin
proved very popular resort and gave Mr.. Par
| ker substantial benefit.
The receipts up to 10 o'clock last evening
| were 1862. There are several donations yet to
come in and it is certain that the aggregate re-
| ceipts of the fair will be $4,000.
To CLASS REUNIoN.-For the fifth time
this class met together last night to pass one of
| those jolly reunions which they so well know
| how to appreciate There were nearly fifty
members present, some married. others not,
| and still others who intended to be, and from
the hasty glance which we took of the scene in
Grand Army Hall in the latter part of the
evening, we shall have to appeal to the die
tionary to find adequate words to describe the
glittering panorama and dancing feet, smiling
eyes, merry peals of laughter and the usual
concomitants of such occasion. Letters
were read from the absent classmates, and re-
marks from the members enlivened the time at
the supper table. Although the fifth year
since their graduation is fast waning, they all
shouted with vim "Rah for the 6tL.''
| DANcEs-The P. A. C's gave a very pleas
ing promenade concert last evening. Coles
band furnished the music
This evening the Union Rowing Club will
| give their first annual ball at Lancaster Hall.
| The managers are determined to make it
| pleasant affair
Mr.. Holmes will give an assembly at Grand
| Army Hall tomorrow evening.
A course of five dances will commence at