Untitled

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 139, 9 March 1877, Page 4

Thu Lyttelton Times states that the import returns or Wedingtoi- for 1876 show a falling off- of four per cent, as compared with those ol 1875, whereas the returns for Lyttelton for the same period are only £1 less than for 1875. There has, however, been a great decline everywhere! else, especially in Dunedm, where the decrease amounts to £2,000,0-00. The loss which this indicates to the trade of Dunedin is no doubt partly due, as was pointed out by •Mr Murray in his recent speech at Tokomairiro, to the trade being diverted to Christchurch through the railway being only open to Aloeraki, within -10 miles of Dunedin. '1 hese forty mi!**!* of railway pass through the 'district which has the privilege of being represented iv the General Assembly by the Hon. George M'Lean, who is ~ large! v interested in the Onion S.S. Company. As soon n.s the rail way is opened through from Dunedin to Christchurch — in about two years hence it is expected with tho present tardy rate of progress— thu shipping company will have a formidable rival. Truly Ot;,gj in general, and Dunedin in particular, should be. grateful to tho lion, G. M'Lean and E. Hichardson for squandering our money upon other places upon political toy railways, in keeping Government steam yachts, etc., etc , instead of completing with it our own mam internal communication from Moeruki to Dunedin, and from Dalclutha to Clinton. So soon as the line is opened from Invercargill to Waipahi— three or four months henco —the whole trailic south ot the Clutha, including Tapanui and other adjoining districts, will go to Invercargill. Thus, by the lines being left unfinished both north and south of Dunedin, the trad-* of tbe city must suffer to a vtrv large exten*-, and it is well known that, when once the traffic of a district is taken ia a particular direction, it is found to bo a matter of great difficulty to alter it. Wo cannot help expressing surprise that

the Dunedin merchants should manifest so much indifference over this matter. Had their united influence been brought to bear upon the Government and members -of Assembly, the present very unsatisfactory state of the main lines of railway throughout Otago would not have been brought about. It is to be hoped that before next session of Parliament some action will be taken so as to secure a speedy remedy beins; applied. ° l