The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1863. SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 17 April 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1863. SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

« POLITICAL.

Politics, amongst a population bo small as that of Southland, can scarcely he said to exist, especially at a time when the Provincial Council are resting from their labors. The agitation for the separation of the Middle Island of iNew Zealand from tiie Northern, has lately been revived in all its force, Otago being the head quarters of the movement. Southland would benefit by the change in as great a degree as any one of the provinces, and although until lately the question appears to have excited but little interest among our settlers a feeling is beginning to manifest itself, which is likely to lead to the formation of a strong party having " Separation " for its motto. The election of Mr Harris as Superintendent for the Province of Otago has caused general satisfaction to the well-wishers of this movement, as he assumes the reins pledged to do all in his power to forward the interest, of lhe Separationists. Major Richardson on the other hand, is said to look with disfavor on a scheme having for its avowed object the division of the colony. The principal arguments brought forward in favor of separation are " that there would be a more just distribution of the revenue,'' and " that the seat of Government would not be at such an impracticable distance as it is at the present time." Since the termination of the session of the fProvincial Council very little has been heard of the railroad to the Mokomoko, the bill authorising the borrowing of the necessary funds for that purpose not having at present received the assent of the General Government. Although the comprehensive scheme of a railway to the Bluff woul d have been more in accordance with our ideas of what tbe requirements of the province are, still, with even the Mokomoko connected with InvercargiU by a railway, the commerce of Southland will be benefited to a very considerable degree. Eventually there must be a railway pier at the Bluff Harbor, and a line from thence running through InvercargiU to the north boundary of the province. It is a question well worthy of consideration whether, even at the present time, such a line would not amply pay, supposing the necessary funds for its construction were forthcoming. We regvet to say that Mr Pearson, the Chief Commissioner of Waste Lands, has resigned his seat in the Provincial Council. The letter in which he informs his constituents of his intention gives as a reason for his resignation that he has been led to believe that some of his opinions expressed during the last session of the Council were not in accordance with the views of those who had elected him. Generally speaking, people do not feel satisfied with the present executive, probably more from a recollection of past shortcomings than from any present display of apathy with regard to the public interests.