The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1879.

Kumara Times, Issue 949, 15 October 1879, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1879.

However much the political views of the inhabitants of this Coast may differ in regard to the Ministry at present in office, on one question, we take it, the greatest unanimity prevails, viz., the connection of the East and West Coast by railway. Referring to this matter in the House, Mr Macandrew, when making his last Public Works Statement said—

“ I confess that, amid the many conflicting opinions which were expressed with regard to this line, and in the absence of any reliable data on which to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion on the subject, it was with considerable iel u eta nee that I e msented to the proposal to place it on the Schedule Having done so, however, I felt hound to see that the necessary steps should be taken to enable the work to be proceeded with, and, accordingly, for several months past, a survey lias been going on, with a view of deciding upon the proper course for the line to he taken.

Jt appears that the country beyond Foxhill is exceodintrl v difficult, * and much more time and labor than was

anticipated have keen found necessary in order to ascertain the most practical and economical route.”

After alluding to the exhaustive report of Mr Blair on this subject, Mr Macandrew pointed out that there were greater difficulties in the way of railway operations in this part of the colony than probably were anticipated. From the statement of the then Minister of 1 uhiic Works, it can he at once seen that the placing ot this line on the schedule was on his pare a must unwilling act, anti one performed only in deference to the wishes of the General Assembly. Mr Macandrew, justly representing as he does Otago interests,, stiongly advocates communication between the West Coast and Christchurch being carried out via Jackson’s and Martin’s Bays, Queenstown, and Dunedin. lhat this line would open up a splendid agricultural country there is not the slightest doubt ; but as its construction would involve the whole of the present loan and a few more of similar amount, there is little chance of its being more than spoken about. On the other hand, we have the present Premier, the Hon. John Hall, and another member of the Cabinet, Mr Rolleston— men thoroughly acquainted with the requirements of this Coast—prior to their obtaining office, pledging themselves to their constituents to support the immediate carrying out of the East and West Coast Railway. Provided the Hall Ministry continue in power a contingency greatly to be desired—the construction of this line of railway would, we feel certain, be one of the first works proceeded with on the Coast, as the Hon. John Hall stated in Christchurch that it was as much to the interests of the people of that city, and even more, than to the residents of the West Coast. Should the Coast representatives in the House—and they were returned pledged to support the very policy now being carried out hy the Government at present in office - act up to their pledges, the people of this Coast, we have no hesitation in affirming, will never regret the accession of the Hall Ministry to power, as far as public works beneficial to the Coast generally are concerned.

The first instalment of the able and efficient character of the Grey administration was given by the Treasurer, Major Atkinson last night when lie moved for leave to introduce the Public Revenue Act Amendment Act. The Treasurer stated that so far as lie knew there was a deficiency to be provided for of £911,000. There was no provision made for paying subsidies to local bodies, or to meet other payments absolutely necessary. It was not for the Treasurer to suggest a remedy, but he asked for £2000,000 deficiency bills to carry on the business of the country for the present month. He only did this as a temporary remedy for the purpose of enabling the House to determine how the matter was to be finally disposed of. Exactly two years ago yesterday, the day on which the Grey Ministry assumed office, the then Colonial Treasurer, Mr Larnach, stated to the House that on that day there stood to the credit of the Colony, as shown by its banking accounts, the sum of £732,312 11s 3d° Comment is needless.

The Christchurch coach with a very heavy mail (including the Suez) and four passengers for Kumara passed the Bealey early this morning.

A fracas between two well-known citizens occurred in Seddon street yesterday, but as they intend shortly interviewing tiie Resident Magistrate we refrain from, giving a description of a scene which was to say the least lively while it lasted.

Tenders are invited by the Grey County Council for the construction of section No. 1 of the track from Westbrook to Cameron’s Terrace. Specifications can he seen at Mr Murphy’s Hotel. Tenders for this most necessary and urgent work close on the 21st inst. at 7 p.m.

Mr F. A. Learmonth will submit to auction, on Saturday next, the Imperial Hotel in Alain street ; also a quantity of furniture and sundries.

Hie Chronicle says :—-“An interesting petition was yesterday presented by Mr Stevens, one of the members for Christchurch, cm behalf of a Canterbui’y settler, praying for compensation on the ground

that advertisements in the Homo papers had led hinl to expect he would obtain a free grant of land on his arrival in the Colony, whereas he got nothing of the kind. M e have reason to believe that ho is not the only man in the Home Country who has been deluded by the rash promises and exaggeration of the emigration agents. The exuberant fancy of these gentleman occasionally requires a checking.” Fully 500 merchants, brokers, and clerks attended the second meeting of the Cusmess Men's Society for the Encouragement of Moderation, which was held in the dining-hall of Earle's Hotel, New lork, on the 23rd ultimo. The members “ pledge their sacred honor not to drink as beverage any intoxicating liquors stronger than wine or beer, and those only in moderation.” The secretary stated that since the organisation of his society in April last, the pledge had been signed in good faith by 11,000 business men.

Another of the few remaining Waterloo veterans lias passed away, in the person of Colonel John B. Riddlesdon, late of the 24th Foot, at the advanced age of 92 years. The deceased gallant officer served in the Peninsula with the Royal Horse Guards, and was present at the battles of Yittoria and Toulouse, for which services he was awarded the war medal with two clasps. He was likewise present at the battle of Waterloo, and retired from the service, by the sale of his commission, in August, 1858.

A project has been mooted for connecting Spain with the African continent by means of a tunnel beneath the straits of Gibraltar, running from Algesiras on the Spanish side to a point between Tangiers and Ceuta. The distance across the seabed is nine miles, with an incline of 1 in 100 at each end, and a level bottom in the intermediate six or seven miles. The greatest depth of water at any point in the course is 3000 feet ; and as it is proposed to leave a thickness of 300 feet of roof in the vault of the tunnel, the deepest point of the latter would be 3300 feef below the level of the sea.

The electric lighting apparatus of Messrs W ilde and Co., of Manchester, which has been tried on board the Alexandra, Temeraire, and other vessels, having proved efficient, the order Las been given by the Admiraliti' to supply similar apparatus to the ironclads Northumberland, Warrior, Repulse, Superb, Nelson, the steel-aviso Iris, and the dispatch-boat Lively. Some of these ironclads already use the light, and others are prepared to follow. The trial of the electric light in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, has encouraged the authorities to fix more lamps in the several workshops—viz., in the carpenters, workshop, the laboratory department, Ac. A similar experiment has been made in the Royal Carriage Department at Woolwich. A large and loftv shed known as the “mounting ground,” which had been inefficiently lighted with 150 gas gets is now furnished with two electric lights.