New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1875.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4384, 8 April 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1875 .

Ora readers will recollect that, several weeks ago, when commenting on the want of uniformity in the management of constructed railways, we made an extract from the Press, which quoted statistics to show that the Canterbury railways were being worked at a loss. Time after time the Press returned to the subject, and so lately as the 3rd instant, in an editorial note on the official statement by the Secretary for Public Works, relative to the receipts and expenditure of the railway department, laid before the Provincial Council, the same newspaper declared that the tables were of an “ untrust- “ worthy character, and calculated to “ produce a false impression on the “ public.” It now appears, from the provincial auditor’s report, that Mr. Maude’s statement is perfectly accurate, and that the Press, from first to last, has been wrong. Having in some measure done an injustice to Mr. Maude, by reprinting the extract matter referred to, we take the earliest opportunity of expressing our regret, that unwittingly we should have been led into such an error. Of course, it will be remembered that in dealing with the question, we did so in general terms. We had no interest in, nor concern with, any local jealousy or opposition to the Secretary for Public Works for Canterbury province, nor indeed were wo aware that any feeling of the kind existed outside the Council. The high character and reputation of our contemporary justified us in accepting its statements as strictly accurate, more especially as they professed to bo based upon official records. It now appears that the Press has been altogether wrong, and as may be seen by our telegrams, it makes the fullest retractation and apology. It is to be regretted that a newspaper of such deservedly high repute as the Press should have made attacks upon Mr. Maude’s administration under a misapprehension. ' The reputation of the journal in such a case suffers much more than that of the person wrongfully accused of maladministration. We have little doubt, however, that the fullest explanation of the motives which , induced the .publication of the article in question will be given. ■ This is promised by the Press, and there we may leave the personal matter. On public grounds it is satisfactory to know that the revenue from the Canterbury railways, even under provincial management, is such as to justify the large expenditure gone to in their construction. At the same time, we by no means think that the colonial railways can be satisfactorily worked on any other than a uniform system. But that is a question of the future. The point of pregnant importance at the present time is that the Canterbury railways are paying. Indeed, they could not well do anything else except as the result of gross mismanagement. That the management is approved by the result is, therefore, cause for general satisfaction. No more damaging argument' could be used against the public works policy than one founded on results of faulty management of the main Southern lines.