South Canterbury Times, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2999, 6 November 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1882.

The country awaits with interest the report of the Commission re extension of the trunk line, and the inception of the work. Every year confirms our belief in the policy of Moorhouse and Vogel, and makes it more and more apparent that railway extension is what the colony most requires. General satisfaction would be given by the completion of the main line. But it is the East and West Coast line on which our hopes are fixed. We are convinced that this is an enterprise calculated to do more for the prosperity of the colony than any now presenting itself. Never was richer country less opened up than the West Coast of this Island. The settlements already existing are but a fringe ; the full measure of the resources of the Coast are as yet undisclpsed, and we look forward anxiously to the opening up of these rich lands, and the influx of in-

dustry and capital to work them. Those who are wont to look despairingly at the prospects of the colony whenever a temporary depression occurs, should cease to do so. For in a new and undeveloped country, these periods of stagnation must of necessity be frequent. The limited population exhaust themselves in mistaken speculation, and have but few openings for enterprise. But the accession of numbers aud the opening-up of new regions, soon restore activity. It is in this that the outlook is so much more cheering than at Home, where every possible channel for labor and capital has long ago been opened, and there remains no fresh outlet for either. There, there is no field for enterprise ; whereas in the colony every succeeding year, and the opening of every new sphere for industry, conducts the country another step onwards in prosperity. America furnishes us with a grand example of the benefits, of railway extension, and we hope the same policy will be carried out here with unflagging zeal.

We cannot compliment the Railway Department on all its arrangements. We willingly concede that its system is generally good, and its officers efficient—but in the matter of accommodation and fares there is plenty of room for improvement. The carriages are neither clean nor comfortable. A private company would make this a first consideration. And in the matter of fares there can be no doubt that those now in force are prohibitory—a cheaper tariff would induce more frequent travelling, and on special occasions “ cheap trips ” would be a great attraction. The only idea the department seems to entertains of cheap trips is a “ single fare for a double journey.” We grant this is a concession, but it is not a “ cheap trip,” and we venture to assert that really cheap trips would attract numbers of travellers, and swell the receipts very considerably.

The frequent appearance in Magisterial Courts of habitually intemperate people still continues to be a feature of society. Though the community in general is undoubtedly becoming more temperate, there yet remain a number of incurables, and so far the law seems to have no direct power to mend matters. A case of habitual drunkenness came before the Court in Timaru a few days ago, and the presiding Magistrate, finding a long list of convictions against the accused, remarked that he must send the unfortunate man where he would be unable to obtain liquor, and sentenced him to a month’s imprisonment with hard labor. So far as the Magistrate’s action was concerned there is nothing to take exception to ; he did all that lay in his power—placed the man for a certain term out of the reach of temptation. But this treatment does not meet the case. At the expiration of their term men like this fall back into their old habit, and the same proceeding has to be gone through again and again. On the petition of those dependent upon such men, or at the request of the police, a prohibition order may be issued under the present Licensing Act. It is to be hoped this provision will be more often enforced, for it is the only measure that appears at all likely,to succeed. Something should be done speedily to save these victims- of intemperance from the ruinous consequences of their dreadful propensity. When persons are found to have a string of convictions against them, strict measures must be adopted to reduce their facilities for obtaining liquor to a minimum. And we must add a word of entreaty to liquorsellers to do their utmost, putting aside all question of gain, to banish these wretched beings from their houses. It is not an easy matter for them to do so undoubtedly. But in this difficulty all society participates. The drunkard is, and always will be, a difficulty to the whole community. He is, we firmly believe, dying out by degrees, but our efforts must not relax until he has become quite a thing of the past.

The Teachers’ Association some time ago agitated in favor of having salaries paid direct by the Board, instead of through Committees ; and thereby they incurred the displeasure of many Committees. It is needless to point out the consequence of this to the ■ teachers. Suffice it to say that they, the teachers, now regret that they were prevailed upon by the representations* of one or two of their number, to place themselves in a false position, to go to the length of obtaining a legal opinion on the subject of the relations of teachers with Committees, and to let it be generally inferred that they were desirous of setting their heel upon the local bodies. It is due to the teachers to say that most of them lent their names to this line of action for the purpose of assisting weaker brethren by such influence as they might possess—having, as far as they themselves were concerned, no ground of complaint against their Committees. A consideration of this will doubtless modify the judgment of the Committees in the matter, and allay any sort of ill-feeling that may have been engendered. Judging from the tone of Saturday’s meeting, the feeling of teachers is unanimously friendly towards Committees, and there exists no ante local-government combination; while the testimony borne by teachers as to the treatment they received from their Committees was entirely favorable. Whichever way payments are to be made, there should be an entire cessation of angry feeling, for it is uncalled for.