80 A Colonial Navy. 



38. The preceding estimates of expenditure have been com- 

 puted on a broad basis, so as to allow a large margin to cover 

 unforeseen contingencies, and even to include some large 

 items which for the present are not important or immediately 

 urgent for the success of the scheme ; whilst the revenue is 

 estimated on a traffic which is much within the actual range 

 ol similar traffic, without making any allowance for the pre- 

 ference and increase of both, which is certain to accrue to 

 speed and economy, combined with comfort. To commercial 

 men, the certainty of a quick voyage at moderately reason- 

 able rates, would induce much more frequent passages with 

 a view of transacting business in person, instead of by letter, 

 as at present. 



39. The cost and charges are included for the second class 

 ships, for distribution of the mails to the adjacent colonies, 

 but no credit has been taken for any revenue from that 

 source, although it is believed that it would cover the cost of 

 the service. 



40. It has been an especial object in the estimates, to 

 keep down the estimated revenue- from traffic to the lowest 

 point necessary to cover the largest charges, in order to show 

 that the scheme is within the compass of existing means, 

 and that, whilst it shall be self-contained, it will be self- 

 supporting. 



41. The tonnage and power of the ships has been con- 

 sidered with care, having especial reference to the duties 

 required, and the long sea-voyage. The tonnage of 3,500 

 tons is fixed, because beyond that size results are proble- 

 matic, and the prospect of returns commensurate with cost of 

 build and working more than doubtful, whilst vessels of 

 less capacity are deficient in space, and wanting in mass to 

 enable them to maintain a steady progress at a high rate of 

 speed. The momentum being an important element in all 

 moving bodies, it is especially requisite in steam ships, when 

 it can be obtained without sacrifice of other advantages. 

 Theoretically, this argument is equally good for a much larger 

 ship still, within certain limits, but practically it is limited 

 by the cost and ability to usefully employ the larger bulk, 

 with a corresponding increase of freight and traffic. In the 

 case of vessels built and fitted for speed, as in the present 

 instance, freight will of necessity be linrited in quantity, 

 owing to the high rate, but passenger traffic need only be 

 limited by available space and the numerical demands and 

 inducements existing to travel to and fro between the two 



