The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 81, 14 August 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1863.

Very few of the large number who witnessed the trial of Mr. Davies' locomotive on Saturday last will be unwilling to admit that it was a success ; that is to say that the engine ran easily, and, considering the short distance, at a fair speed. The patentee made out a good prima facie case — so good indeed that it would be foolish to allow the matter to rest where it does. We are by no means inclined to say that it is proved beyond a doubt that this peculiar class of railway and locomotive is suited to the requirements of the Pro vince, but we strongly recommend that a further trial be given before it is definitely settled that the scheme shall, as far as the public money is concerned, be shelved. Not only is the NewRiver Jetty too short for such a purpose, but the trial ought to extend over a considerable period of time — say from three to six mouths — in order that the working cost may be proximately ascertained. We have heard it said that in Australia " Davies' patent" was looked upon more in the light of a toy than anything else, and we can easily understand why. A country which had committed itself to the expenditure of such enormous sums of money as Victoria had, and whose railwa3's would bear favorable comparison in every respect, permanency included, with those of any country in the world, must naturally look with distaste on a plan which neither in speed, permanency, or showiness, can equal the one which Victorian legislators had adopted. Engineers may have treated the project coldly, for they may, perhaps, have had a hand in introducing a totally different and far more costly system, and to have said too much in favor of " Davies' patent " would have been, to a certain extent, a condemnation of their own acts. But supposing the adoption of the permanent system to have been necessary or politic in the construction of the Victorian railways, it by no means follows that the same is the case here. The Province is "hard-up" for roads and not over flush of money, and what is wanted is to make as little as possible of the latter go as far as possible in making the former. A further .trial might show that we could attain this object no better than by adopting the wooden railway, and then there is the further advantage of great rapidity of construction. "We have, in a former article, urged this subject on the attention of the Government and the public, and plainly stated that the best positiou in which to make a trial line would be "along the banks of the New River estuary, from the head of the jetty northwards, crossing the Puni Creek, and ending in the reserve at the back of the Court-house." No businessman in Invercargill will deny that a tramway along that line would make a very material alteration in the rates charged for the transit of goods from the jetty, and save, besides, a vast amount of confusion and loss of time. We should be very sorry to see the Government rush into the scheme headJong — taking all the patentees' statements as absolutely correct; but, if Mr. Davies has demonstrated that there is a fair chance that his plan will succeed, then we certainly think that it comes within the province of

the Government either to make the r rial altogether »t the publicrisk, or at a)} events furnish some substantial assistance'to the patentee in carrying it out. Aad here we may bs met by the statement that there aye no funds which could be devoted to such an object without tho sanction of the Provincial Council. If that be the case a very considerable delay must be put up with — a delay the more provoking because of the very great want that is felt of better communication between the jetty and the town. It seems rather perplexing that a Government, which could find the money for the North Rpad baulkway failure, should be unable to find the money for an experiment which cannot result in total failure ; for, should the wooden railway not fully answer all the expectations which have been formed of it, it would be possible, with slight alterations, to transform it into a railway of the ordinary description. That it would be good policy on the part of the Government to lend a helping hand in the construction of this trial line no one will be disposed to deny, and it is also easy to sets how advantageous it would be for the Council to be able to form itsjudgment froEB a report made after the trial line had been working for some time. No doubt the Government have brought to their aid the best professional skill obtainable in the Province, but ifj at the time of the Council meeting, a sample of the line happened to be on •view, both engineersand members of Council would have a far better opportunity of judging of its merits. If, however, nothing more can be done at present, aud we'have to exercise a small degree of patience, it is to be hoped t'tiat the trial line will first be authorised by the Council before the Province is. fully committed to this scheme. Should the wooden railway be ignored in toto by the Provincial Council (it must be brought before the Council 'by some one) there is still a ■course open to Mr. Davies, which, if he be not fully prepared with tbe .requisite amount of capital himself, ■will enable him to see full justice done -to an invention, in bringing which to its present state of perfection, he has expended so much time, money, and ingenuity. Let him get up a company for the purpose of testing the merits of his scheme, and let his scene of action be a.nv quarter not actually interfering with the existing plans of the Provincial Government. A short line running parallel with some portion of either the Mataicra or North Road would answer very -veil, and we doubt uot he would be well supported. The success of a few miles (for our remarks are only to be takeai as applying to a trial line) would serve to thoroughly satisfy the public, and that, after all, is the main thing to be accomplished, for in matters of this sort the " pressure from without" will, in nine cases out of ten, ensure success. We are aware, that to drdw an admission from the Provincial Government on any importaut subject, is more difficult, and does not furnish half the excitement that drawing a badger doßs in the " old country ,•'' in the present instance we have hopes that the badger will not give too much trouble.