The Evening Post. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1865.

Evening Post, Issue 192, 19 September 1865, Page 2

The Evening Post. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1865.

The Canterbury people, intoxicated with the present El Dorado of the West Coast, have arrived at the conclusion that it is necessary to connect Hokitika with the capital of the province by railway. The only questions, says the Standard, whicb need discussion, are — first, which is the best route ; and, secondly, where is the money to come from. They do not for a moment question whether the present wealth of the West Coast is transitory, or whether there is any promise of its permanence, before embarking on such a gigantic undertaking. No ; the great thing before their minds is simply — how can we secure to ourselves the vast amount of wealth that is now being obtained there. The whole question is one of self, proposed without any reference to conaequences^^Wwb. a small but settled, and perhaps wealthy, population, and a heavily entailed estate, it is a bad policy to add to the existing debt a sum which would take their great grandchildren to pay off, and particularly so when there is a probability of the population on the western side of the ranges out-numbering the population on the eastern side. Should this bg the case, it is more than likely that the inhabitants of Western Canterbury will demand a separate establishment with full control of their own^revenues. It must, therefore, seem plain that it would be folly on the part of Canterbury to undertake such a task under such circumstances with the only object of sgeuring the wealth of Hokitika. There are two suggestions thrown out by the Canterbury papers as to what route the railway should take. The first is to continue the construction of the line to the Rakaia, as far as Rollestou Station. The plant has already been ordered for

thi* portion of the line. Thenco the line should he continued along what is known as the tramway resdtve to the Kowai Coal Field, and thence towards the West Coast by the Bcaley-Otira route. The second is to carry the Great Southern Railway to a point about half way between the Selwyn and Rakaia, and thence to the West Coast by Browning's Pass. Both suggestions have been well considered by experienced engineers in the province, and an3 r who«e opinion is wo thy of consideration hold that a railway by any route from Christchurch would be a costly undertaking, and would occupy a lonsj time in construction. Notwithstanding the Canterbury press urges upon the powers that be the consideration of this proposition, and in support of it point to the Grey Valley as being thoroughly adapted for settlement to the time when a large, permanent and industrious population could be settled there, the natural^ outlet f>ir whose produce would be the railway proposed. But these and all such arguments lose all their force when the prospect of Hokitika hecoming a separate province is considered. Independent, however, of such an event taking place, and on the grounds of finance alone, Canterbury wo^p not be justified in undertaking such a work. At present it is in a prosperous condition, and has every promise of increased prosperity, but it is more than probable tl<at if this proposal l>e carried into effect, her prosperity will fade, like that of Southland in byegone days.

While the Printers and Publishers Registration Bill was in Committee in the Legislative Council to-day, clauses 11, 12, 13, and 18, were expunged. The bill is now harmless indeed. *^ The House ofTlepresentatives will proceed this evening to consider the propriety of imposing stamp duties. The measure is not by any means favourably nceivod by a great many hon. members, and is likely, therefore, to excite con iderabie discussion. It secm9 that the complaints made by our contemporaries against the clerks of the House of Representatives, for not providing them with copies of the printed papers laid on the table of the House, has led Mnjor Campbell to give instructions to the effect that, instead ol reporters receiving papers from the w onl clerk, the newspapers will be furnished with them weekly. Hitherto the reporters have been in the habit of getting the Parliamentary Papers at the House, but in some ns tan ccs they did not reauh their destination, and hence the cause of complaint. But, persuaded that Major Campbell is ever ready to serve public interests, but we beg to suircrest to him that the present arrangement will in no way meet the requirements of the public, ami that therefore he will cause the papers lo be forwarded to the newspaper offices as soon after being laijkon the table of the House as convenient, lor it is necessary that the doings of the Parliament should be made public as soon after their occurrence as passible. Messengers while delivering the order papers of both Houses could at the same time deliver the papers laid before them. The clipper brig Wild Wave, Capt.Vandervord, from Sydney, arrived in portyesterday evening. She left Sydney at 10 n.m. on the 11th. unto which time no news of the arrival of the English Mail had been received. After leaving, the Wild Wave experienceu strong winds until making Cape .Farewell, which was passed at six p.m. on the 17th, when it blew a terrific gale from W.S.W. ; passed the steamer Gothenburg lay ing -to under fore-and-aft sails, bound westward. The Wild Ware brings six steerage passengers and a large miscellaneous cargo for Wellington and Lyttelton. The ss. Barwon, from Melbourne, Hokitika, and Nelson, left Melbourne on the 9th instant, and arrived at Hokitika on the 15th, where she landed 170 passengers and left next morning for Nelson, where she arrived on Sunday. Left Nelson at eight last night, nnd came into port at half-past nine this morning. Captain Lowry reports liavirg supplied a small craft (the Maid of the Mill, 24 days out from Pieton to the Grey) with provisions. The Egmont arrived in Nelson on .c. c unday night, and had not discharged all her cargo when the Barwon left. The N.Z.S.N. Co.'s s.s. Rangatira, Captain Mundle, from Napier, Tauranga, and Auckland, arrived in this harbour last nitwit at seven o'clock, The Rangatira left Auckland on the 13th at 3pm, left again at 9 a.m.,

and arrived at N;ipier on the 15th instant at 4 p.m. ; left Napier on Suniay, the 17th, at 2 p.m., and arrived here as above stated. The foundation stone of the Xi Warra Warra School, which will be erected on a most eligible site, at a coat of £175, was laid yesterday by J.imca Woodwai'd, Esq., J.P. The Rev. J. S. Muir gave out a hymn, which was heartily sung by those present. The Key. W. M. Fell, of the Congregational Church, Wellington, gave a brief report of the object, origin, and progress of the movement lor the erection o£ the school, from which it appeared that several gentlemen, ¦loeply sensible of the want ot such an institu'ion in Xi Warra Warra, had formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of currying out the desired object. The plans have been tastefully prepared by Mr. John Glasgow, a member of the committee, and Messrs Laws and Tringham are the buildersMr. Woodward, after delivering a short address, and offering the dedicatory prayer, perforate 1 the interesting ceremony, which was witnessed by a large concourse of people The proceedings were brought to a close by Mr. Fell returning shanks, in the name of the committee, to the l;tdie§ and gentlemen present, and pronouncing the Benediction. The collection amounted, we understand, to £G 10s. Yesterday evening a large and fiishiouable audience attended the Amateur Concert, given at the Odd Fellow's Hall, Lumbton quay, under the patronage of his Excellency bir George Grey, in aid of the organ fund of the Cathedral now in course of erection. The programme was varied and select, and carried out successfully. There were about fifty performers, but being amateurs they are beyond the province ot public criticism. We mny, however, state that the taste, feeling, power, and intimate acquaintance with the text displayed in the rendering of the various selcctions,reflects great credit on the performers themselves and upon the gentleman who curried out the arrungnients for the entertainment. Every one present seemed to enjoy the performance, and the applause given wus frequent and prolonged. It is to be regretted that such entertainments are not more frequently given in Wellington. -^(Every where around the city we have evidence of spring coming upon us. The occasional showers and warai sun of the past season is rapidly bringing the fruit trees and flowers into bloom. li is to be hoped, however, that the season is not commencing too early. The light frosts may yet nip the blosqoms and deprive us of an abundant harvest. The usual monthly meeting of the Fire Brigade will be held at the Oddfellows' Hall this evening, at eight o'clock. A few days ago his Honor Mr. Justice Gresson ruled at (Jhristchurch that voluntee s were in future to be exempt from all liability to serve on juries. 'WWe beg to direct the attention of the poli. c authorities to the necessity of putting a. stop to the practice of depositing manure and other refuse on the beach opposite Lambton Quay. Now that warm weather is setting in every precaution ought to be taken against the deposit of filth in any part of the city, for with such deposits come disease and death. But Lambton quay being the chief business thoroughfare in the city, it is therefore necessary that anything such as w« complain of should not be allowed to exist. It is to be hoped, therefore, that an end will be put to the practice. "*& The Tlmaru Herald says -.—During the last week the p.s. Geelong, Captain Turubull, visited Timatu for the last time, for a season Certain repairs are necessary before a new certificate can oe granted to the Geelonjr, and it is likely that she will be laid up for six or seven weeks ; and there is yet no provision made for any steamer to take her place. Two schooners are expected to be laid on for regular trading, one owned by a Dunedin firm, and the other belonging to Mr. Ashcroft of Oamaru. During the last three months the Geelong has regularly landed at Titnaru from thirt\ to forty tons of goods per week ; and has had, in addition, a good passenger traffic, and a little trade in exports. The inconvenience will be very great to all parties, and we shall be pleased to welcome the return of Captain Turnbull and the Gtelong. The New South Wales Government intend next session to abolish newspaper postage. Victoria and Western Australia will then l c i the only Australian colonies charging postage on newspapers. The Tasmanian Government have abandoned till intention of imposing a property tax.