The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 247, 20 December 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1866.

Another phase has shown itself iu the railway question, but not one, we regret to say, of a very assuring nature. Wheu last treating of the subject we left the Provincial Council in special meeting assembled at the bidding of the Superintendent, passing a resolution which empowered the latter to offer terms to contractors in addition to the land which it was proposed to give as an equivalent for the railway. It is fair to assume that the Provincial Executive have lost uo time iu bringing the improved conditions before the notice of the parties who are likely to entertain them. In the meantime a letter has appeared in the columns of a contemporary, from a Melbourne contractor, which, if taken as a sample of the views of contractors generally, is not calculated to inspire confidence iu the speedy progress of the work. The writer informs us of a fact thafc we were well acquainted with several months ago, that the Provincial Executive declined to iucur any preliminary expenses in the survey till the country had been examined by the company proposing to enter into the project. At the last meeting of the Council however it was stated thafc maps of the country would be prepared, and thafc all necessary information would be afforded to contractors. We entirely ngree with the writer in question that no contractor or capitalist, either in these colonies or England, will undertake this railway uuless full facilities and information be given as to the line itself, and that something like a correct survey of the couutry should be published so that persons may be in a position to give an approximate idea as to whether the line is worth entering upon. Ifc would bo madness to expect capitalists to look at the subject in the absence ofthe information they require. What expense ueed be incurred iu furnishing this information is another question ; ifc will probably vary iu amount according to the views entertained by different persous, and the degree of accuracy contended for. That au authoritative report. of the land through which ifc is proposed to take the line, should be made without delay, appears necessity from the fact thafc false reports are getting iuto circulation, tending to prejudice the whole affair. Ifc is not possible to say ou whom these reports are chargeable, whether on the "old ideu tity," who want things to remain as they have beeu from the beginning, or on the "new iniquity," who have been recently roaming up and down the province. According to one report " the hills are barren, the valleys are all shingle, and at least, three long aud expensive tunnels would be

required." No doubt there are as many opinions as men, as to the way in which the work should be doue, the character of the engineering difficulties to be encountered, and the general practicability of the work itself. But it is a question that is to be set at rest by competent and unbiassed authority, and till this be done opinions will float about as numerous as dust, and truth and error will be so strangely intermixed that ordinary persons will be uuable to arrive at definite conclusions. Nothing is easier than for a person possessing a smattering of scientific knowledge, a large amount of conceit and a plentiful stock of malevolence, to cook a report at the biddiug of some' wealfcby squatter who likes sheep better than;'diggers, aud hoax the public as to the difficulties of the undertaking, which exist only iu his distempered imagination. It is time the question was settled by some competent authority in whom the public have confidence, and a stop put to these Hying reports which prejudice an undertaking, which is surrounded by ordinary difficulties enough without having to encounter those of an extraordinary kind. In reference to the authority alluded to, ifc appears to rest solely with the Provincial Council. They have recently empowered the Superintendent to take steps in advance not previously contemplated by them, they will have to pass an enactment when the thing becomes more mature, and they will no doubt see the propriety of adapting themselves to the altered circumstances of the case and the ever shifting course of public events. The matter has originated with the Council, their views seem to have beeu liberal enough hitherto, and there is no reason to suppose they will be wanting in sagacity or energy to meet any new difficulties that may arise. But the people will have to take an interest in the matter and back up their representatives by a vigorous expression of opinion. It is to much the fashion, uow a days, to elect men to dischiirge a. class of duties, and leave them to get through them in the best way they can. Representatives frequently only half fulfil their duties iu consequence of the absence of that wholesome pressure, by which the best of men ought to be surrounded. Some men are slow and want to be stimulated, others timid and have to be encouraged, and ali work with a tenfold greater cheerfuluess and power, when the vox populi is shoutiug behind them and impelling them to au onward course. As previously intimated the Provincial Council bave shown themselves equal to the requirements of the case, but another course may be demanded of them, and ifc will be for the public voice to say how far they shall go iu the matter of this much agitated question. The election of a Superintendent also will afford the public an opportunity of saying whether their representative shall be progressive or auti-progressive in reference to the opeuing of iuland communication with Nelson and the gold-fields.

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