The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 14, 20 March 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1866.

In our columns of yesterday appeared the first telegraphic despatch which has been received in Nelson, thus announcing that the great national work of connecting all parts of New Zealand by means of the telegraphic wire had been thus far completed, by the connection of all the provinces of the Middle Island. It is impossible to overrate the importance of this work. We are no longer divided by . great distances from our southern neighbours; we need no longer be in ignorance of what is*goiug . on among them ; the mighty agent of civilization that has just been brought to our. doors, will literally annihilate time and space in the interchange of ideas, in the conveyance of counsel or direction. It will unite us more as a people; it will bind us more together as a nation ; the petty idead which an. uUiapicoriaciaUsinai lias' 'engendered

"; among our small, scattered communities, will disappear before the national feeling -winch will be fostered by its meaus. But it is not only in a social or in a political sense, that its beneficial influence will be felt ; it will be of the utmost value to ali people engaged in commerce ; by its means, the shipowner can. direct the movements of his vessels, the merchant can communicate with his agents, the trader can transmit his orders ; as it will foster legitimate trade, it will diminish reckless speculation ; it will develope branches of commerce at present not thought of ; it will further the interests of the producer, by making known to him the best markets for his productions, and thus materially benefit all classes of the community. We trust that the undertaking will be a profitable one. Telegraphs in every part of the world have generally been paying speculations, especially those which connect together shipping ports having frequent steam communication with each other. It will take some time before the community understand all the advantages to be derived from its frequent use. Before long we an ticipate that its aid will be constantly evoked by all classes; each year as population increases, and the varied resources of the country become to be .more fully developed, will bring it increased business. Although Government undertakings are not generally remunerative, on account of the great pressure frequently put upon ministers, by their supporters, to provide lucrative appointments for their friends, we trust that this will be an exception to the general rule, and 'that the Government of New Zealand will prove themselves to be faithful stewards of the public property.