South Canterbury Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2991, 26 October 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1882.

There has been no little skirmishing among some of our contemporaries about the railway revenue for the past halfyear. The Wellington “ Evening Post,” which bears a general reputation for being a very much inspired organ, lately gave vent to some «roanings over an alleged failing off in the profits from the railways, of £ 13,000; and predicted that the knowledge of this fact would seriously influence the Home money lenders when they were called upon to advance a loan to the colony. Thereupon several journals took the “ Post ” severely to task for raising a storm in a tea-cup, and by placing the matter in a false light, actually doing his utmost to bring on the colony that very discredit, in the English money market, which he so much deplores. Perhaps a little too much has been made of this matter. A deficiency of £13,000 in the profits of a department is not likely to influence the moneylenders particularly, taken by itself and weighed against a healthy general revenue return, and satisfactory evidence of the soundness of the financial position of the colony—all of which are taken into consideration on the Stock Exchange, when the question of a loan comes up. But when the statement is more closely examined, it is found to be only partially true. There has been a decrease of profit; but it bas not been due to a falling off in the receipts. It has been brought about by a very considerable increase in working expenses, which is quite another matter. For the first half of the past financial year the receipts were £400,381 and the expenditure £236,795. For the corresponding period of the present year the receipts were £428,049, and the expenditure £275,761 —by which it appears that the profits in 1881 were £163,622, while in 1882 they were £152,288, involving a decrease this year of £11,394 (not £13,000, as stated by the “Post”). When, however, the increased expenditure is taken into account, it will be seen that what has happened is such as might reaonably bo expected to sometimes happen in a new country, where railways are being continually extended in every direction. We see nothing in the affair to call for anything like the amount of attention which it has excited.

It has been stated that on examination’: the permanent way in the vicinity of the scene of tiie late railway accident at Waitati has been found to be in a seriously defective state. The statements made are to the following effect, viz. :—That the timber of the sleepers is soft; that the nails by which, t he_ rails are secured to the sleepers are only of medium size, and altogether insufficient to resist the enormous strain caused by heavy rolling stock moving round a curve, and that consequently the rails were quite easily forced apart. We trust these statements will be considered and investi-j gated at the departmental enquiry; But the public have very little to do with departmental enquiries, which generally result in a verdict of acquittal in favor of everybody except some poor stoker or superannuated gatekeeper. The public will want to be satisfied that due regard is paid to their personal safety by those who direct the construction of the lines. If there be any truth in the statement to which we refer, we trust the defects will be immediately remedied.

The Education Boards have already done the correct thing by the teachers in their service, in making up to them the loss they sustained by the all round” reductions of August 4, 1880. We do not find that the South Canterbury Board has followed this excellent example, however. This Board is not remarkable for its judicious expenditure. It has wasted money enough in all conscience' ; but it has never wasted it in over-liberality,to its servants. We are aware that its circumstances are still straitened, that in fact it is in a chronic state of impecunibsity. It would be too bad, though, that this should react upon the teachers ; and when Civil servants are nqw everywhere being re-irabursed for their unexpected losses two years ago, it is but fair that the teachers should participate in the general good fortune. We trust the Board will not neglect their obligation in this matter.