The Mail. —There were no signs of the Rangitoto at Hokitika up to the hour of our going to press. Many incorrect reports as to the date of her probable sailing have been circulated during the day. We can only repeat that she was advertised to sail from Melbourne on the 17th, but would be detained in Hobson’# Bay until the arrival of the mail steamer there, in to bring down the Hon. F. Dillon Bell. Princess Theatre. —lt is announced that “After Dark” will be withdrawn tomorrow evening. Those who have not yet seen it ought not to lose the opportunity of doing so'. Political. —Wo hayo been informed that the Hon. H. J, Miller, the Hon. J. M'Lcau, ;vul Mr (>. Sumpter will be candidates for the representation of the Oamaru district in the Provincial Council. Messrs M'Lean, Smith, and Mills <ire .candidates for the representation of Waikouaiti district. An Anti-Reou isit iok. —lt would save considerable trouble and expense if constituencies generally would caution those whom they did not want to go to the poll as Well as sending requisitions to candidates whom they think eligible, in the manner of the electors of Marsden. The electors inform Mr John Mppro, the late member for that district, that, 11 alter a careful and jm»
partial review ” of his political career, they can see no reason why they should place any confidence in his perso «al integrity (politically considered) ; whilst it would be a mere mockery of his established public character to speak in favorable terms of his intellectual qualifications. Then they say ; —“ Though your actions are sometimes c'osely imitative of the dictates of disinterestedness, yet long experience has taught us to be always su-pi-cious of your motives when you perform a * good turn,’ and as your habitual and harmless opposition to the comprehensive, pacific, and progre sive policy of the present Colonial Ministry clearly indicates to every.no but yourself that you have now arrived at that wayward and vacant period of political dotage which cannot discern the attributes which distinguish the men of genius, it is surely not to be expected that we, or any others concerned, should have any confidence in your legislative talents.” They request, in conclusion, that he will not put himself in nomination at the forthcoming election, because, should be persist in his intended attempt to force his way into Parliament, they pledge themselves to exert all legitimate means to secure his defeat.
Narrow Gauge Railways.—Mr Daniel Climie, C.E., who signs himself “representative of the Fairlie system of railways and rolling stock for Australia and New Zealand,” writes as follows to the Ary us on Jan. 5 By the last mail I received a letter informing me of the most important decision that has perhaps ever been given in reference to the gauge question. Some time ago a committee of four was appointed by the Indian Government to investiga f c and test the merits of the Fairlie system, and determine upon the best gauge for railways for that country. They have now sent in their report, Three out of the four—viz., Colonels Strachey and Dickins and Mr Randall—have recommended a 2ft. 9in. gauge ; and the -fourth, Mr John Fowler, a 3ft. Gin. gauge. Such a decision as this, after the most searching inquiry and severe tests that ever any new system has been subjected to, and conducted by four of the lirst scientific and practical men in Europe, should convince the most sceptical of the vast sup--riority the narrow gauge possesses. r lhis circumstance, too, ought to cause those who are extend ng the broad ga go sy-cem to pame. It is probable the whole f the broad gauge lim sin India will shortly be reduced to a 2ft. 9in. or 3ft, Gin gauge, a id other countries and colonies will soon follow such a wise example. It would therefore seem like something beyond extravagance to put down another mile of broad gauge line, as every yard of such line will be worse than so much money wasted, as it is now an established fact, which cannot be gainsaid, that the working expenses of railways increase in proportion to the width of the gauge beyond 3ft. The working expenses of some broad gauge lines, if the books were lioiiestly kept, would be found to be considerably over 70 per cent, of the receipts from the traffic ; whereas the working expenses of the narrow gauge Hues seldom exceed 40 per cent, of the receipts from the traffic. lam author sed by Mr Fairlie to say he is prepared to find capital to build narrow gauge railways in this Colony by having a guarantee. lam prepared to state that there is no district in Victoria requiring railway accoinprndat’.on but may be supplied with good substantial lines, capable of carryKcavy »\ tmthc as any line in tlie Colony, at a cost not exceeding L 5,000 per mile (if over 50 miles in length), and the working expenses of such lines would be at least 15 to 20 per cent, less than the present system. In a Government report relating to railway extension, which appeared in the papers a few days ago, it was stated “ that economy in the first outlay is of great consideration.” If such be the e lse, there certainly never could be a better opportunity for putting such a wise and commendable idea into practice. - The sum of L83G,0G3 mentioned in the report as the estimated cost to construct the pin •; line (119 pules in length) would be more than sufficient not only to complete the pink line, but also the black line from Geelong to Oolac, by adopting the narrow gauge system.
A summoned meeting ,pf the Pioneer Lodge, A.L0.0i.F., will be held this'evening, at the Lodge Room, Oriental Hotel, at S o’clock.
The general annual meeting of the Dunedin Waterworks Company will be held in Murray’s Hall, pn Friday, Feb. (10, at 4 .o’clock in the afternoon.
The annual general meeting of the subscribers to the Otago Benevolent Institute will he held in Farley’s Hall, Princes street, on Tuesday next, the 31st instant, at 4 p.m. A meeting of the Total Abstinence Society will be held at the Athemeum tomorrow evening, at 8 o’clock. Business : To : receive report of Committee and enrol members. The 'public invited.
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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2477, 24 January 1871, Page 2
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1,053Untitled Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2477, 24 January 1871, Page 2
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