The Dunstan Times. Beneath the rule of men ENTIRELY JUST the PEN is MIGHTIER than the SWORD. FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1877.

Dunstan Times, Issue 796, 20 July 1877, Page 2

The Dunstan Times. Beneath the rule of men ENTIRELY JUST the PEN is MIGHTIER than the SWORD. FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1877.

That there has not been any public expression of disappointment evoked by the peculiar action of the Cromwell people in respect of the question of railway communication, is due to the fact that it is well understood that Cromwell delights to set itself in antagonism to the sest of the District. Nobody supposes that any measure originating in Clyde will ever be endorsed or supported by her erratic neighbour. On no other conceivable hypothesis can this the lastdevelopment of Cromwell selfishness be satisfactorily be explained. The movement to connect the entire district with the seaboard was made in such a friendly spirit to that township, that it was even proposed to let the terminus be there, until at least the line should bo projected towards the West Coast. Clyde did not seek a terminus for herself, though she might fairly have done so on the grounds that the traffic beyond is of comparatively little importance, and that the intervening distance will be the most expensive portion of the line to construct. But even this concession was insufficient. Cromwell must go in any direction save that which Clyde suggests. On the face of matters it would seem difficult for any other line than that originally suggested here, which will intersect the entire County, to find favor in the eyes of the most benighted and bigotted people. But our Cromwell friends were fullv equal to the occasion. Better—far better say they, in effect—a railway to the moon than one that passes through Clyde. Better, indeed to be an outlying suburb of Queenstown than a terminus from Dunedin via Clyde. So they coolly ignore the main arterial line from West Taieri passing through Strath Taieri, Maniototo, and the Ida and Manuherikia Yallies—a line tapping the whole interior—and ask for a railway to Frankton. Of course they are prepared with arguments in favor of their line. What cause ever was there for which some specious pleas could not be invented by perverse minds 1 But the absurdity of the thing is so apparent that it may safely be regarded as defunct before it has well seen the light—as an abortion begotten of contradictoriness and appropriately still-born. Those who know the country through which the Cromwell pet line would pass may well bo pardoned if they deem any comment thereupon mere waste of words and time. But it is not eveiy one that docs know it, and for general information someexplanationis desirable. Tiro'route proposed at the Cromwell meeting, be it observed, is net the line proposed at the Arvowtown meeting. The latter desire a lino which shall pass through the Arrow and Frankton fiats, where the population is located. But the former project to carry the railway along the south side of the Kawarau River to Frankton Falls. In another shape this scheme is the renewal of Mr Bondix Hallenstein’s proposition, urged with much force, in the Pro-

vincial Council, to make a road, in tliq aamo direction, ,witE a at tftcj •F alls. That the will over agree to such a proposal is' incredible. Either way,’.. then-, 'tie Crorawell-Wukatipu railway is xmpractiblo. There is not, in all Otago, a route so full of engineering difficulties, or one which would bo so costly. Fop the greater part of the distance the way for the whole lino’ would require to be hewn out oftha solid rock. If it were carried by way of Arrowtown four expensive bridges would be necessary—at Nevis Bluff and Arrow Bluff, over, the Kawapau, at Arrow River and Shotover River. If, on the other hand, it were taken by the south bank there Would be two bridges—at Nevis Bluff and Frankton. And then the line would pass through an absolute desert, where, forits entirelength there is not ten acres of soil capable of supporting even the most industrious and economical of Chinamen. Whore, then, is the benefit 1 The answer is obvious—none whatever to the district, But what do: our Cromwell friends care if only they can balk the efforts of the people in this district in their well-intended endeavors to facili tate communication with the seaboard. As for substituting Ir.vei’cargill for Dunedin as the port of the district, the notion is too outrageously absurd to need any confutation. Such' a condition of public feeling as is exhibited by the conduct of the Cromwellites -is very lamentable, and can only result In their own confusion. Let them honestly cast in their lot with their fellow citizens and expend their restlessness in aiding the welfare of the district, and we shall gladly extend to them the right hand of fellowship. At present they stand alone, presenting to gods and men the pitiable spectacle of a petty municipality arrayed against the entire population of the County.