The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 6, 6 July 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1866.

The opening of the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Bailway will be an event m the history of Southland. Its completion has been accomplished under difficulties of the most severe character, and it speaks well for the Province, that notwithstanding its embarrassments, it has been able to accomplish so great a work. This line when opened will be the most extensive yet working in" the colony. That it was not opened a year since, was owing to circumstances of which our local readers are well acqainted, and to them it must be a matter of surprise as well aa gratification, to know that in a few days the " iron-horse" will be paying its diurnal visits to the chief port and the chief town of Southland — that this much maligned Province has accomplished more in railway works than any of her wealthy and extensive neighbors. Doubtless, the rejoicings over the erent will be dimmed by the feeling that much of the depression that has been experienced for the last three years arose from over haste in commencing the works, and not having sufficiently counted the cost. Still the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Eailway has become a fact ; whatever may have been the blunders of the past, a great work has been accomplished, and with the exception of a stone storm- wall being desirable at the embankment between the Invercargill station and the slaughter yards, it is not likely that the repairs required will be costly for many years to come. The advantages to be derived from the opening of this line are unmistakably valuable, although the benefit it will ultimately afford can not be estimated until the line is continued to Winton — we say the line because ironrails and rail-engines must be employed before the Northern Eailway can become satisfactory to the public ; and continued to Winton before the Lake district traffic can be secured. Let this be accomplished, and the broad lands of Southland will be made to yield forth riches to an extent that few would expect. The agricultural capabilities of this Province although not yet developed, are acknowledged to be unsurpassed in any part of the Australias. A company at Home have now on the way out all the appliances for the erection of extensive malting and brewing establishments, and the growing of barley for malting purposes ; the large tracts of land recently purchased will be turned to a profitable account, and Southland become the granary of the Southern Provinces. It is no boasting to say that for its size Southland is capable of caiTying a population in excess of any other Province in the Middle Island. Eoads and population, industry and capita], will speedily render this Province prosperous — let its agricultural and manufacturing, its pastoral and mineral capabilities be fairly tested, and we have no fear for the result. The most experienced agriculturists have given it out as a fact, that with facilities for communication Southland could supply, in a few years, all the requirements of other Provinces, and even export to Australia grain of every description ; that the climate is pre-eminently favorable for malting and brewing pursuits : and there is no question that minerals of great value ! exist, that it only requires labor and capital to produce them. With these, elements" of prosperity Southland must advance — the construction of railways is the chief instrument to render that advancement quick and permanent. The opening of the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Hailway is an event which ought to be celebrated by a public demonstration. The G-overnment should declare the day a general holiday, and the public orgauize a gathering on the moat liberal scale. On this occasion, all should unite to make the affair not only a success, but such a success that all the colonies wiil be made acquainted with what Southland, under a weight of difficulties, has accomplished. It would have a powerful etiect in removing the impression that this Province was on its " last legs" and draw an attention to it that could not fail to result in much good. We hope this subject wil be taken up by the public in right earnest.