Direct Steam Service.

During the past year a commencement has been made of a Direct Steam Service between New Zealand and the Mother Country. Several magnificent steamers have been despatched by the New Zealand Shipping Company, to whose enterprise the Colony is indebted for the inauguration of a regular monthly line of steamers. It is to be hoped that the Assembly will offer such a substantial subsidy as will ensure the continuance of a large class of steamers, rendered more necessary now if the Colony is to attract to its shores a class of immigrants hitherto deterred by the lengthened voyages of sailing ships.