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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4144, 2 July 1874, Page 2

Subsidised steam sex-vices, when they are simply of a local character, are occasionally open to the suspicion of being procured by local influences, for local advantages, at the general cost. In several of the Provinces this complaint has been made, and sometimes not unjustifiably. But in the majority of instances subsidies to coasting steamers have proved to be of great ultimate advantage, by being the means of promoting settlement and securing supplies to settlex-s in localities which would, without some assistance, havc continued for along time in the condition of uncultivated deserts. Southland and North Otago, perhaps, owe their present prosperity as much to judiciously provided subsidies for steam service as to the natural resources of the districts, which would have been unseen and unknown by many who were induced to settle in them, but for the facilities of reaching them by sea. There are other districts in both islands to which the same remark might apply. It is the fact that to other districts which arc now as prosperous—such as the West Coast goldfields—population was attracted without Government aid to steamers, but the difference in the mode of settlement was due to the circumstances that they were districts which were extensively “rushed,” and that the consequent profits to steamboat proprietors enabled them to dispense with anything in the shape of a subsidy. Other districts of similar character, and of equal promise as places for settlement, have remained undeveloped, because a “ rush” has not happened in their direction, and eminently one of these is the western sea-board of Nelson, from Cape Farewell to the Buffer, including the available ports of Little Wanganui, Karamea, Mokihinui, and Ngalcawhau. In the vicinity of each of these places gold and coal have been discovered, but the former was not so abundantly found as to induce the permanent settlement of a large population, and those prosecuting the search for the lattei-, while they realized the fact of the abundance of coal, realized also that they had to accustom themselves to much solitude and seclusion. While a steamer was subsidized to convey a few passengei-s and farm-yard produce from Golden Bay and Motueka to Nelson, the extensive western seaboard of the Province was left almost as it was found by Mx-. Brunner and Major Heaphy, and much individual enterpxise was dissipated because of a want of Provincial assistance. A change in the spirit of the Provincial authorities in this respect seems i-ecently to have occurred, and they have called for tenders for a steam service to the several harbors which we have mentioxxed, with the avowed object of developing the resources of aurifex-oxxs and coal countx-y of which these are the oxxtlets. On what authority the Provincial Executive have done this does not appear, xxo special vote for the purpose, so far as we have noticed, having been passed, but it is reasonable to suppose that they have authority, and if they have, scarcely a better scheme of Provincial character could be undertaken, the probability being that a steam service along the sea-board would do mox-e for the extexxded settlement of the Province than any yet proposed scheme of special settlement in the interior, where land available for agricxxlture, and easily accessible, is more prominent by its rarity than by its abundance.

It is not now the cricketing season, but a suggestion made out of season may be marked, learnt, and remembered as an incitement to action when the proper time comes. The suggestion is that the Australian Colonies should not be content with inviting from England worthy or unworthy competitors in the cricketing field, or with organising matches restricted to the population of their own continent, but that cricketers there might venture to visit New Zealand, to put the New Zealand youth upon their mettle, or to accept a beating if there he sufficient mettle in New Zealand to secure a victory. The proposition originally emanated from Auckland, but we notice that it is adopted by an Otago cricketer, and that he and others are anxious that such an intercolonial match should be arranged. The suggestion is made or repeated with all modesty, but it is worthy of attention in other Provinces, such as Canterbury and Wellington, and by an understanding between the various clubs an intercolonial match, or series of matches, might be arranged, such as would fully equal in interest those which have taken place between Colonial teams and the so-called Eleven of All England. It would scarcely suit for New Zealand to give a challenge on equal terms, but by combination an invitation sufficient, at least, to induce a visit from Victorian cricketers might be made, and by a match between two Colonies otherwise so closely connected, fresh interest might be aroused among those who practice the “ noble game,” and among those who, without being practitioners, enjoy the simpler pleasure of being spectators.