The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 633, 1 December 1858, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday', December 1. Some months ago we drew attention to the desirability, of connecting1 Lyttelton, Ghristchurch and —Kaiapoi by electric-t-iiegraph. It is with no little satisfaction that we record the fact that the Provincial Council have by resolution authorised the Government to make enquiries into the question of telegraphic communication, and to lay down the wires should the expense prove as moderate as it has been estimated at. We have no doubt of the result of such enquiries, or of the incalculable usefulness of the telegraph, when laid down. There are always plenty of persons who are ready to pooh-pooh any suggestion which does not emanate from themselves, without making any enquiry whatever into the matter; and many who are afraid of undertaking any enterprise which is novel to them through a fear of being thought flighty or unpractical. We are glad to iind that although several objectors of this sort have laughed at the idea of our possessing a telegraph, the majority of the Provincial Council have determined that we should not be altogether behind the age in which we live. . The last few years, during which most of iis have been absent from England, have produced changes which we hardly appreciate out here. Since the foundation of this settlement the electric telegraph has assumed a place amongst the necessities of life in most parts of the world. It is the cheapest contrivance to save time that could well be conceived. No wonder then that we find its use proportionate not to the age of a country but to the value of time in a country. Into the back woods, to the newest and most out-of-the-way settlements, the practical Americans carry the electric cord with them, knowing-well that it will penetrate cheaply where ■ other means of communication are costly and difficult. They are quick at adapting all new inventions to thoir own uses instead of being slow to appreciate everything they have not. had experience in. If it pays to lay down lines of electric telegraph to out-of-the-way villages'- in America, surely it will pay on the high road of our traffic, where time and horse-flesh are so costly. If-the'erection of a curtain number of posts, and tho stretching of a curtain quantity of wiro is of such amazing

benefit to all the countries where it has been tried, why should we refuse to open our eyes to the advantages of so simple a contrivance, unless indeed the reason be that it is simple. Canterbury will probably be the first province to introduce the electric wire" to general use in New Zealand 5 but it will not be long ere the provinces are united by it from north to south. Thus will be solved one of the greatest difficulties of Government in New Zealand. We recommend this consideration to the General Government.