19

15. This valuable sources of wealth the Com- pany, with which I am connected, intends to develope in connection with the Steam Service, and thus to provide at once a two-fold boon for the Colonists. It is proposed to have two good sized steam colliers to convey coals for the use of the Company’s steamers, and also to supply by their means the various Provinces with the best fuel at an exceedingly moderate comparative cost; so that not only will private families be saved much trouble and expense, but fa- cilities also will be afforded for working mills and machinery of all kinds, with much greater convenience and at one-half of the present outlay, and in the course of a few years all the principal towns in the Colony, together with their Government offices, hotels, shops, and private houses will be lighted with gas.

16. I therefore confidently submit to Your Excellency that the Company with which I am connected presents advantages to the Colonists infinitely superior to those which may be offered by the West India Mail Company. We are prepared to carry out our services with the strictest punctuality, and to enter into penalties for the due performance of the contract, if your Excellency’s Government should think fit to guarantee the requisite subsidy.

17. The Company will send out to the Colony, immediately upon the receipt of a satis- factory reply to this letter, the six vessels alluded to above, viz.—two steam vessels for the In- ter-Colonial Service, two other steamers for the Inter-Provincial Service, and two large and powerful Steam Colliers for the Coal Service. An average speed of not less than 8 miles an hour will be guaranteed, under penalty for all the steamers, and the Mail boats will also be under penalty to leave their ports whenever it may be within 12 hours after the mails are put on board, stress of weather and unavoidable break down of machinery alone excepted. Power will be reserved to the Government to vary the course of the steamers, or to employ them in carrying troops or ammunition if the public service should require it, and any extra service so rendered should be paid for by special agreement, or failing that, by arbitra- tion. The Company would protect either pur- chase or otherwise the existing interests of the proprietors of any suitable steam vessels at pre- sent engaged in the Colonial service. A mode- rate scale of passengers’ fares and of charges for goods would be adopted, so that the colo- nists may have every inducement to be satis- fied with the arrangements entered into on their behalf. All the steamers would be new boats, and great care would be taken to appoint such officers to command them as were well known for their attention to the comfort and conve- nience of their passengers.

18. It would be requisite that the subsidy should be paid every quarter of the year; the first payment would not be required till the steamer had been running for six months. The Company will enter into a contract to continue the service for five years under a penalty of £5000, together with the loss of that portion of the subsidy which might be due at the time they failed to carry out their contract. The contract must be made for five years certain, and subject to termination at that time, or in any subsequent year, after twelve months’ notice has been received from either party of the desire of the Government or the Company to terminate it.

19. Your Excellency will not fail to perceive that although the Government would, by such an arrangement, pay away the sum of £20,000 per annum, yet in reality the Company would expend a far larger sum in their various works in the Colony, so that the Colony would actually gain by the contract. Trade, also, would be developed—population increased—intercourse facilitated—and the natural highway of the country would be traversed with speed, regularity, and safety.

20. I have only further to add that I should esteem it a great favour if a reply to this letter be forwarded to me at the earliest pos- sible opportunity. It may perhaps increase Your Excellency’s confidence in me, if I in- form you that I have been forty years at sea; and that for nine years I commanded a steamer which belonged to the Directors of the first Steam Company in the world—the Peninsular and Oriental Company. I hope I may there- fore say that I have the fullest experience, which it is my intention, if your Excellency’s Government will guarantee the moderate subsidy which I have asked for, to come out to the Colony, and as Marine Superintendent to the New Zealand Inter-Colonial and Inter- Provincial Steam Navigation Company, to arrange and to carry out under my own per- sonal supervision the due performance of the proposition which I have now the honour of sub- mitting for your Excellency’s consideration.

I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency’s most obedient Servant,
(Signed) FRED. F. GIBBS.

His Excellency the Governor,
&c., &c., &c.,
Auckland, New Zealand.

Superintendent’s Office, Auckland,
27th February, 1857.

HEREBY notify for general information that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to leave to their operation the undermentioned Acts, passed during the 6th Session of the Provincial Council, viz.:—

"Thistle Act," No. 1, Sess. 6.

"Education Act," No. 2, " "

J. WILLIAMSON,
Superintendent.

NOTICE.

Superintendent’s Office, Auckland,
27th February, 1857.

HEREBY notify that I have appointed Mr. FREDERICK BORLAND to be Harbour Master for the Port of Russell, vice Mr. Datem.

This appointment to date from the first proximo.

J. WILLIAMSON,
Superintendent.

Auckland: Printed by W. C. Wilson.