Untitled

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 98, 7 October 1863, Page 2

(To the Editor of the Invercargill limes.) Sir, — I suppose one use ©f the press is, to be the aafity-Vidve lor the pent-up wisdom, or onceit, or disconU'Ht, or what not of the community, and therefore I :scck your columns to vent a icw thoughts on passing events. It surprises mo thut the same press has enlightened our community so little upon the most important matter likely to come before us at the coming meeting of the Council, viz., the Northern Railway ; but I suppose one reason is, that so little information has barn given nsjet upon the matter. It will ultimately rest in the hands of our present representatives, but we may have our say nevertheless. 1,,{,? uprose aboveViifer —still more, to realize her dreams—the communication with the Like district must be kept •o;>en summer and wint r for some years to come. Now, without some better appliances than fascined •or even metalled roads over the first twenty mile?, Ibis can never be done, from the mero nature of if'he ground to be traversed, and the influence, of our •climate upon the same, throughout the greater portion of the vcar. ''Jispn, is it to he n railway to last for year?, find 'CXpediet all traffic, or the alterna ive, twenty or •thirty-or how many thousand pounds, to keep the oad opentlir.jUgh next winter? One of the nl o c sains was voted for a similar purpose last Ses^iou, .and -ever) body knows that it did keep it open, —so •open, libat everything went into it naturally. We ■want -something closer and firmer to run over in i'u f ur«. '1 'have more arguments th.in one for a railway. In'the first place, cheap and easy transport, not necessarily too rapid at present, and, in the );cxl, cruelty to animals, such as last winter witnessed, ought not, in the name of humanity, to be repented. .But, how about wooden rails? I learn tint they arc to bo so arranged, that if not durable enough, ilho iron ones can be at any time laid down. Timt disposes ot the worst part of that (li/liuulty. And whether the motive power be steam or horseflesh, signifies not a great deal. A 'tor all, the Council will soon meet, and then we shall hear every point elucidated, as to the rou'c, rails, motive powcis, <te., &c. The examination of Mr llnnlo will tell us everything, no doubt, and in such good hands, for the present 1 will leave it. I am, Sir, Yours obediently, PuiLUipros. 0.