The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 602, 11 August 1858, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, August 11. The Special Partnerships Act which was passed during the present Session of the General Assembly, may be made very useful in this Province for the promotion of two objects of public interest, .viz.— the working of our coal-fields, and the establishment of telegraphic communication between the Port and the Plains. Thanks to private enterprise, it is now known that very good coal can be obtained in considerable quantities at the Malvern Hills. Up to this time, those who have worked the seam, have not been able to send clown much better than surface coal; and } ret the article that has been burned at Christchurch commanded a high price, and was looked upon as very good fuel. But it„ has been found that the resources of a company are necessary to work the mine to the fullest, advantage; and experienced men are well satisfied as to the success of a well-planned scheme for bringing capital to bear upon our coal-field. The formation of a company has been often talked of; but nothing has been done. It is very probable that the formidable nature of "the liabilities heretofore incurred by any sort of partnership has deterred many men from subscribing- towards the formation of a company. We hope that the opportunity now presented of combining to effect a public object, without incurring a liability beyond the a mount subscribed, may induce many men 'to come forward, who would not have cared

to enter upon a more onerous partnership. The question of telegraphic communication is not one, like that of the coalfields, often mooted amongst us. Dire necessity has not made us feel, in this case as in the former, a spur to exertion. The electric telegraph has so recently come into every day use elsewhere, that we scarcely realise to ourselves the want of it here. It is, however, one of those recent inventions of which a new country can avail itself as well as an older one. An electric telegraph from Lyttelton to Ohristchurch, and thence to Kaiapoi, would not he expensive, would save an immensity of time, and might he easily laid down. Into every out-of-the-way place in England and America, the electric telegraph has found- its way. Australia and Tasmania have availed themselves of this wonderful power. New Zealand has not yet adopted ic. Our population is small, but our time is enormously valuable ; —if a telegraph between two little out-of-the-way places in England or America pays; surely it would pay on our business thoroughfare, where men would, rather pay double English charges than lose a day. Not very long ago, the tinder boxes and brimstone matches were the means available in England for lighting afire; we should now consider it a great hardship here to be deprived of lucifer matches. Electric telegraphs are like lucifer matches ; —simple in contrivance, cheap, attainable by all. Why should we remain without one? There need be no expense in purchase of land, as - there would be no objection to running- the wires along the side of the main road. Let us hope that in a year 01* two coal may be the fuel of Christchureh, and lightning the means of commnnication from Lyttelton to the Waimakariri.