THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1905, 2 April 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1880.

Some short time ago, during the visit of the Minister for Public Works to Canterbury, fears were expressed that, owing to the very abundant harvest, the Railway Department would not be equal to the work expected from it. The Minister then, speaking on the authority of Mr. Conyers, assured the deputation that there need he no fear hut that the department would he able to overtake the work. We confess that, with the experience of past seasons before us, wo were somewhat dubious as to the statement made by the Minister proving correct, and the more so that not only had a larger area of country been put under grain, but that the harvest was the most abundant one Canterbury had been blessed with for many years. It is therefore with the more satisfaction that we are able to note the verification of Mr. Conyers’ statements to the full. During the whole of last season the railway authorities were —no doubt with good reason—reminded of their shortcomings pretty freely, and therefore it is only fair that praise, when it is fairly due instead of blame, should he given at the present juncture. The season has been a very plenteous one, and the breadth of land cultivated very largo, so that the amount of grain requiring carriage is far more than that of last season. Despite this, up to the present, the Railway Department have been enabled not only to keep pace with the amount sent in for transit, but oven to fill the stores of exporters in Lyttelton with grain awaiting shipment. Thus, instead of, as predicted, the traffic being jammed, the Department have been enabled to meet all demands. And just lately this work has been done under rather more than ordinary difficulties, as provision has had to bo made for the carriage of a largo number of Volunteers attending the review. Wo are sure that all, whether producers or exporters, will rejoice at such a state of things. The Harbor Board have done great things towards rendering Lyttelton one of the host ports in Now Zealand, and they have also made such arrangements for the berthing and discharge of vessels as will ensure quick despatch. But these two accomplished facts excellent though they are—would to a great extent he rendered useless wore it not that the railway also added quick transit from the place of production to that of shipment. Despite our excellent port, if a vessel wore to ho delayed for cargo or discharge unreasonably—as was the case in many instances last season—shipowners would ho chary of sending their vessels here to load, and tonnage would he found very difficult to obtain. TVith, however, as has been the case this season, the railway conveying the grain speedily to the port, and every facility given by good harbor, improved wharf accommodation, &c., for ships to load and discharge quickly, the port of Lyttelton will soon become a favorite one with shipowners. All classes are interested in the efficient working of our railways, more particularly at this season of the year, and the railway officials deserve every praise for their /.oal and promptitude.

The multiplication of tho rosourcos of tho colony has several times been commented on in those columns Attention has been drawn to the semi-tropical nature of much of the North Island, and the volcanic nature of parts of the South Island, and to tho consequent fact that many crops such as enrich continental nations might bo raised in this colony’. Tho vine, the beetroot, the olive, and other products might bo extensively raised, and our absolute dependence on wool and grain bo thus considerably modified. Tho articles resulting from the cultivation of those

products might be mostly consumed in the colony, but there are other products peculiar to Now Zealand which it is very desirable should be introduced into the homo market. Mr. Halcombe, of Wellington, is taking a step in the right direction. He is taking with him to England 50,000 feet of New Zealand ornamental timber for the purpose of introducing it to the notice of the homo market. The beauty of these woods and their adaptability for cabinet work is conceded on all sides, but at present they do not form a regular branch of export. Tables and other pieces of furniture made from our woods are much prized in England, and our cabinetmakers have attained much skill in working on the materials they have to hand. But if once large manufacturers at homo were to recognise the beauty of our woods, a trade would spring up which would employ a large number of people, and which might result, amongst other things, in placing a higher value on our native bush. The wholesale way in which this is too often destroyed has boon the cause of much unfavorable comment. Onco lot the best of our woods fetch a high price in the homo market, and a proprietor would no more think of burning his trees than would a Honduras trader think of wantonly destroying the trees from which his income is derived.