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Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 June 1877, Page 4

A petition was recently signed in Milton and surrounding districts praying that Milton, instead of Clarksville, should be made the inhering of the Lawrence and Clutlia trains, Tho petition was presented to Mr Conyers by a deputation consisting of Messrs Mosley, Inch Clutha, and Dyer and Margrie, Milton. We understand that Mr Conyers informed these gentlemen that the alteration wanted would cost the Government a much larger sum for ordinary wear and tear of rolling stock than under the present arrangements. This is one objection. One or two others we may mention. The proposed alteration would lengthen the journey between the Clutha and Lawrence by four miles, and would of course increase the fares, and also the freight for Kaitengata coals, a considerable quantity of which is used in Lawrence. Timber and other commodities will also be sent from here to Lawrence ; and all at an increased rate should the prayer of the petition be granted. Notwithstanding that this must be the effect, we are told a considerable number of persons, both in the Clutha and Tuapeka district!), signed the petition. How they should have done so, or how Mr Mosley should have made one of the deputation to present and support the petition seems inexplicable. W e do not blame Mr Dyer, Mr Margrie, and others in Milton for making an effort to concentrate all the trade they can in their township. On the the contrary we commend them for thus acting, and more so for the tact they displayed in getting a petition so numerously signed, seeing that if its

prayer were granted the result would necessarily prove very detrimental to the interests of so many signing. We do not think that the request will be granted, neither do we think it would be for the good ot the public service were it granted. It would lead to expensa to the Government and also to the travelling public, while much inconvenience aud confusion and many mistakes would be the inevitable result at the Milton Station. The petition, however, will do good. It will shew the utter absurdity of this mode of preferring a request in the name of the public. It has often been shewn before that a large section of the public will sign anything, providing- it be put before them in the form of a petition. It may be for or against their own interest, or it may be a matter with which they have nothing whatever to do. They only require to be told the document is a petition and they at once subscribe. The Milton petition also shews what some men will do to obtain a little •notoriety. To present a petition to a minister or a public officer is with them a mania. The subject matter may have no relation to themselves or their interests. That matters not. The slightest opportunity to play first, second, or third part at the presentation of a petition is to them irresistible. We have reason to believe, however, that at head •quarters the success of a petition is now getting to be more dependent upon the justice and prudence of the cause and the potency of the arguments than upon the number of signatures. The Milton petition will therefore be considered upon its merits, and the result can scarcely be doubted.