Direct Steam Communication with the South Sea Islands.

Members will doubtless have noticed with considerable satisfaction the opening of direct steam communication with various island groups in the South Pacific, under mail contract with the Government, and they have no doubt that this new service, the pioneer vessel of which is the "Janet Nicoll," together with that already in existence by the Union Company's steamers to Fiji, will tend greatly to increase the commercial relations of the Islands with this port. From particulars which have been compiled it would appear that in 1883, the exports from New Zealand to the South Sea Islands amounted to £115,969, of which sum Auckland contributed £111,067. The imports amounted to £81,260, of which £75,844 were received at Auckland.

Government having recently placed at the disposal of the Chamber a free passage by the "Janet Nicoll" for a delegate to visit and report upon the commercial aspects of the places touched at, your Committee have appointed Mr. Kelly to undertake the mission, and his report, which will be published immediately on his return, may be looked for with interest.