The Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPT. 20, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 436, 20 September 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPT. 20, 1877.

The distinguishing feature of the age in which we live one which especially marks the high state of civilisation which the human family has reached—is the facility with which associations for an infinite variety of purposes are being continually formed. That this is simply the development of a primeval faculty is sufficiently transparent, for was not man's first step from barbarism the introduction of association"? By successive stages—at first tentative and experimental—mankind has in the nineteenth century apparently perfected the idea. True, in savage life there is something observable approaching to association—a rude employment of the inherent faculty—but man in some sort ceases to be a savage the instant he becomes capable of association for joint purposes with his fellows. He is then emerging from a state of barbarism. This is the first germ of civilisation, the elimentary idea underlying all government, and proceeding onwards through the ages is evolved the highly complicated and most marvellous fabric which comprises human institutions, our laws, our commerce, our political, social, and religious organisations. The converse of all this is the case with that most unfortunate class, numerically, alas! so large, who are bereft of reason. The most rudimentary efforts at association is impossible to them, and hence their comparative helplessness, and the immunity from danger, at least from this cause, which forms a remarkable feature in their government and control. The idea of association, however, like everything else good in itself, is liable to the greatest abuse. The faculty may run riot, and often, indeed, does so, and incalculable mischief may be done to the associated individuals or fraternity. The history of civilisation affords abundant proof of this. Witness the South Sea bubbles, the Scotch Laws, financial impostures, and other swindles which have been perpetrated by such designing scoundrels —those human jackals who prey upon the vitals of mankind making vile merchandise of their credulity, and inflicting untold misery upon such deluded dupes. Who can estimate the misery which has resulted from such wholesale frauds? We recall the railway mania which preceded the fall of Hudson, the Railway King, and the vast amount of distress entailed upon the innocent but misguided victims who were beguiled by such wild and visionary schemes. More recently still, the failure of the European Insurance Company should have its salutary cfi'ec upon the large class who are ever too prone to fall into the snares of the fowlers. -• The earth hath babbles as the water has, And these are of them !

We are led into these reflections by way of contrast. It was only recently we had occasion to deal with a company origining in Dunedin and another at Christchurcb, both of which we cordially recommended to the attention of our readers, and we are happy to hear that both those companies are floated with the most promising results. And now, thanks to the promoters of the proposed "Oamaru Stone Quarrying and Export Company," we Lave had placed in our hands the evidence collected by them, and at once and frankly we desire to express our hearty thanks for such an accumulation of valuable evidence from highly qualified'witnesses respecting our stone quarries as takes us altogether by surprise. Great as we regarded the resources of Oamaru we did not dream that such untold wealth was stored up in our stony ridges, and cropping up in almost every field in our neighbourhood. To utilise such gratuitous gifts of benificent Nature is the mission of this company, and while gladly acknowledging our great obligations to the committee, we earnestly recommend our readers to study the evidence and report carefully for themselves. This evidence settles some at least of the questions referred to the committee once and for ever, while in every point it is most clear, convincing, and overwhelming. No one can now doubt the vast extent and importance of

our stone deposits, covering as they do : — in the words of one of the witnesses,

"the whole of the vast territory extending from the Kakanui river to the Waitaki plains, an area of not less than one hundred square miles." That such unbounded wealth should remain so comparatively undeveloped, may at first sight excite surprise. The difficulties, however, are clearly shown to have been, until quite recently, perfectly insuperable. We observe in the evidence that a contract for 400,000 ft., at 4s. per foot (representing L 80,000), delivered in Melbourne, was abandoned simply because the Breakwater was not at the time sufficiently advanced. What a loss to the district ! And who can estimate the sum total of such losses during the years that are gone 'I The same authority further states that the difficulties then interposing are now wholly removed. The Breakwater, the railways, and now the advent of a public company, with improved appliances, and every contrivance which capital and skill can introduce, cheapening and facilitating the operations at every stage, will put the future prosperity of this great and important enterprise beyond all doubt. We are pleased to observe, moreover, that it is proposed to cheapen the price of the commodity in Melbourne and elsewhere, and we are quite convinced that "a large and profitable trade awaits the formation of the Company." In. our own town, as well as the neighbouring towns, the effect of such a reduction will stimulate building enterprise ; and in Melbourne, which, from our own knowledge, is perfectly destitute of building material, the prospect of an abundant supply so eminently suited for such highly ornamental and elaborate designs as they affect in the metropolis of the South, will be hailed as a great boon. We cannot over-eslimato, also, the immense importance of such an increase to our population and currency as such a Company will confer upon us, for, like the quality of mercy,

'lis twiee blessed : It blesseth him that gives, and bim that takes:

We therefore once more express our hearty approval of the project, and we have no fear of the future welfare of this promising Company.