The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1872.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 165, 12 July 1872, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1872.

The trans-Australian line of telegraph has for so long a time been talked of as one that would possibly come into operation within a few months, and hopes which have proved to be groundless have so frequently been held out of its speedy completion, tbat we had begun to look upon the opening of* the line as something that, if not altogether mythical^ was at least an event which was not likely to occur for some time to come, so tbat, when the fact has at last been brought home to us that the Australian colonies are, with but a very insignificant break, in direct communication with the rest of the world, it has fairly taken us by surprise, and the statement that, on the llth of July, New Zealand was in receipt of London telegrams dated the 22nd of June, was yesterday received by many with incredulity, and doubts were cast upon the authenticity of the news thus reaching us. Nevertheless it is an unquestionable fact, and from this date we must be prepared to look upon England, not as a country 16,000 miles away, but as one of which we are within almost speaking distance, for over the slight gap of some 200 miles, that is at present bridged by horse express, the wires will very soon be stretched, and the Australian steamers which arrive weekly on our coasts will he the bearers of English news not more than a week old. Henceforth the llth of July 1872 may fairly find a place in all New Zealand almanacks in the list of days on which have occurred noteworthy events, as upon that date the colony may be said to have entered upon a new era in its history. As is only becoming the importance of such an event as the opening of a new and speedy line of communication with the home country, the new3 which reached us yesterday is of more than ordinary interest, and of far greater moment than that which we have of late been in the habit of receiving by either the Suez or the San Francisco route, as we learn that two of tbe greatest countries in the world, and, at all events, two in which our own interests are most deeply involved, have been almost on the point of declaring war, but, fortunately, we are at the same time told that matters have once more assumed a more peaceful aspect, and that the swords which were so very nearly being unsheathed have been, for the present at Least, returned to their scabbards. From the very brief telegrams to hand, it would appear that America has been trying to play the game known as "Brag," but that in England she has found an opponent not to be easily intimidated and that consequently she has thought it prudent to descend from the somewhat high position she had taken up. There is something exceedingly calm and dignified, and at the same time determined in the stand that England has taken iu the matter. All that, with honor to herself, she could concede, she has conceded, but beyond that she would not go, and when more was attempted to be obtained from, her she showed symptoms of a disposition not to allow herself to be trifled wfth any longer. America appears to have fully understood the position of affairs and_ to have recognised the wisdom of not pushing matters too far. To our minds there is something very noble in the attitude assumed by England, and in her reply to the extravagant demands made by the

Americans : — No, we are perfectly willing to act in perfect fairness, aud where we see we have been wrong to make such restitution as may be necessary, but beyond that we will not stir. No one desires peace more than we do, but . if you insist upon war, we are perfectly prepared for that also. When the English people speak in this strain thero is no doubt as to their meaning, and the Government of the United States appears to have comprehended this very clearly. And so the game of brag has ceased for a' time. A fall of a penny is reported in the price of wool, but upon whut previous rates this decline has taken place we are not told, and therefore it is difliculi to arrive at any knowledge of tho price of this staple at the date of the news being despatched from London. It is, however, satisfactory to find tlwit it doe9 not contiuue to fall, but, that the market was firm at whatever may have been the prices ruling at that time To the telegraphic newstoarrivebytheNeriraska,which will be due at Auckland on Monday next, we shall now cease to look forward with any degree of interest, as that already to hand is about a week later than what will reach us by way of San Francisco. For the future we must look to Australia to supply us with all the latest information of what is taking place in both tbe Old and the New World

Steame ii Tararua. — This steamer, which arrived on the Coast yesterday morning 1 , will be hero at mid-d.«y tomorrow, and sail again for Wellington direct, at noon on Monday.. Caledonian Societt. — The entertainment to be given in aid ol the funds of this Society, this evening, promises to he a most am active one, the rehearsals, as we are informed, having passed otf in the most, satisfactory tnnnner. Gun- Stocks. — We recommend sportsmen, of whom there are plenty in Nelson just now, to pay a visit to the shop of Mr. ; W. Garrard in Bridge-street, where they may see an excellent specimen of a gun. stock recently manufactured by him. It appears to be well made, and well finished, aud those who may require such an article* will do well to examine it before sending their fowling pi.ces elsewhere to he repaired. South Bkitish Insurance Company. — We woui 1 call attention to the prospectus of a new Insurance Company which has been recently brought before the public. As this is to be made a purely colonial institution, it is well worthy of the attention of New Zealand capitalists, as the profits, instead of going to enrich English shareholders, amy be retained within our boundaries, thus tending to increase the national wealth. The share?, we are informed, are being rapidly tak.-n up, and tho-e who wish to invest in what promises to be a very remunerative speculation, should make application without delay to Messrs. Morrison and Sclanders, the Nelson agents. Throwing Stones. — At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, William Hart, a lad of some thirteen years of aire, was charged with throwing a stone at Mr. James Hooper when sitting in his trap on the Port Road, thereby inflicting a serious wound on his head. The defendant call that he had no intention of injuring the complainant but that the stone was thrown at a pigeon. A fine was inflicted of£l and costs, or in default, two weeks' imprisonment, and this, it is to be hoped, will act as a warning to those who, either in wantonness or out of pure mischief, are somewhat too fond of exposing passers- by to such serious accidents as that which led to the present complaint being laid.