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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4204, 10 September 1874, Page 2

The Press Telegraph Agency owes to the public an explanation as to its position—in one particular: that of its responsibility for the distribution of news, and for the news which it distributes. The Agency owes this explanation, not on account of any faults of its own, but on .account of the manner in which its name is beiug used or abused. It will not do for the Agency to be quoted as a reliable and impartial authority, when it simply telegraphs what appears in some public prints, and when what thus appears is quoted as emanating from the Agency as a centre of authentic information. Either the Agency must explain for itself its relations to the news which it distributes, or somebody must do thi3 for it, and it would be infinitely better that the Agency should discharge the duty, instead of permitting itself to exist under false colors, which is not its interest, and, we believe, not its wish to wear. Lately the Agency cho3e to select from certain columns pretended news as to an. interview between Mr. Vogel and Mr. Stafford, and its selection was published by each of the papers to which it was furnished. Previously to that the same news had been telegraphed—unquestionably by collusion with the writer of the printed article —and the PreßS Agency, by telegraphing, at a .later hour, the same " stuff " is credited with the merit or demerit of "confirming" what "special-correspondents" had contributed. The Agency is spoken of as " an entirely new and impartial source," the mere quotation of which leaves " no longer any room for doubt regarding the authenticity of the information." "Comment," says the same paragraph, ".is needless," but it is not exactly so. The name of the Press Telegraph Agency is evidently used for the purpose of giving character to what the same Agency is authorised immediately afterwards to describe as incorrect, and if the Agency respects itself, as there is every reason to suppose it does, it should explain to its too clever or careless clients that it is not responsible for what it simply quotes, and that it does not sustain "the authenticity of the information." The work of the Agency has lately been conducted with much energy and accuracy, but its reputation should depend upon these elements, and not upon the cultivated misapprehension that the statements to which the Agency's name is attached are to be received as gospel.

Yesterday a work which was practically commenced some weeks ago—the construction of a. coal railway from Westport to Ngakawau—was "inaugurated" with some formality, followed by rejoicings such as suited the tastes and the resources of tho local community. It is not alone the local community that are entitled to congratulate themselves on the commencement of the work. The railway is one which has as intimate relationship to the industries of the Colony as any which has yet been undertaken. Its purpose is to connect what is pi-obably the best port on the West Coast with what is decidedly, so far as is yet known, the largest and most valuable coalfield in the Colony. Along its course, the line approaches at several points portions of the coalfield from which supplies may be readily drawn, and terminates at a coal-mine the working of which has already been commenced, but the value of which is at present reduced by the absence of proximate facilities for shipping. The country over which the line extends presents no particular physical difficulties, aud the energy with which its construction has been undertaken indicates that it -will very speedily be completed. In point of time, its completion will probably succeed that of the Greymotith and Bmuner railway, which should be finished in five or six months, but it is a line of equal importance, aud when the two lines are in working order the Colony should be no longer dependent for its coal supplies upon the other Colony from which these are now, if not exclusively, almost solely obtained.

The intimation made by a creditor to his debtors, to the effect that if they paid the amounts owing they would oblige him, but that, failing to do so, he would oblige them, is evidently too laconic to satisfy the literary tastes of Mr. William McHardy, Main Street, Sandhills, who thus elaborately and suggestively addresses his debtors through the columns of the Wutatip Mall: —" Notice.—To Absent-minded Debtors.—From dulness of business at my office, on account of the severity of the weather, I am afforded ample time to direct my attention to bringing this under the notice of those persons who, up to the present time, have so liberally favored mo with their indebtedness that I have ceased to appreciate the continuance of such patronage, and also to acquaint them that an immediate liquidation of their accounts is demanded. In default of compliance with the request alluded to, I have decided—the more effectively to accomplish the object in view—to place the'accounts now due into the hands of some unscrupulous legal agent for collecting, and rely that, from his professional abilities, he may be enabled to arouse the tardy debtors from their diuturual torpor. In this advertisement I have two objects in view :—lst. To improve the memory and moral rectitude of the gentleman to whom it is addressed. 2nd. To benefit myself in a monetary sense. This object—the second—is in importance truly secondary to me ; but I regard it more favorably as being an undisconneotable accompaniment, and a guarantee of the accomplishment of the first.—lt may interest some to learn that the accommodations of the Queenstown Gaol are not so complete as to command special attractions as a residence at this inclement season of the year."

The Acclimatisers in Victoria have been not only busy but successful. The report of the proceedings during the past year, amounts in size almost to a volume. It Btates that two breeding-ponds have been constructed at Wooliug, on Mount Macedon, one for breeding salmon-trout, and the other for the common brown trout. In these fish of both kinds have been successfully treated. The young fish have thriven well, those in the ponds being now from five to six inches long. -They are gradually drafted out in the rills and small streams, so as to prevent the ponds from being overcrowded, aud will gradually find their way to the larger streams below. About thirty parent fish are kept in separate ponds for breeding purposes, and now deposit their ova naturally'in artificial rills which they frequent for the purpose. Tho Bociety has also given its attention to pheasantry. They have abreeding establishment, from which large numbers of pheasants and eggs have been distributed throughout the Colony. Deer have been imported in considerable, numbers, and let loose in: the bush. Of Angora goats the society has a large Hock, from which squatters

and others who wish to breed that description of stock are supplied from time to time. Hares, pea-fowl, guinea- fowl,-partridges, quail, and singing-birds have also been extensively distributed. The expenses of the society during the year were £2186, and receipts included £ISOO from the Government, and £SOO of private subscriptions. Altogether, the society seems to have been busy, and as successful as industrious.