THE RAILWAYS.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 523, 20 July 1866, Page 6

THE RAILWAYS.

XL-, vi »enmg of the Bluff Harbor and Inzer :^ill Bailway will be an event in the hi-^orv of Southland. Its completion has - ' : :ueomplished under difficulties of the :a--- severe character, and it speaks v, r, ior the Province, that notwith-•:"r-;ii" i .--.ir;g it 3 embarrassments, it has been ;::= -ie accomplish so great a work. This \ine -Then opened will be the most exten- «!'->'- -c working in the colony. That it vi is.- r.jfe opened a year since, was owing jircumstances of which our local ve-'ATs» are well acqainted, and to them it ri-.i- be a matter of surprise as well as :.n a rifU-arion, to know that in. a few days T-h-j " iron-horse" will be paying its diirnal visits to the chief port and the •hief .own of Southland — that this much ? :o.?>L:g"i?d Province has accomplished rc.o;-? ja. railway works than any of her -f?r,\\ ry and extensive neighbors. Doubt- :?-■:-. rhe rejoicings over the event will be •ji f :;.'--.-d by the ieeliug that mu.-hoftie ]ai: ?33ion that has been experienced for i7: i.-.^t three years arose irom over haste in •.-■'i-menemg the works, and not having v uiHitntly counted the cost. Still the •<. f " r Harbor and Invercargill Bailway ■sj.7 a fact: whatever may have : . . the blunders of the past, a ,r;v work has been accomplished, and ' he exception of a srone storm-wall bo;, desirable at the embankment bsi r ■=•-..-:•;"• the Invercargill staiioa and the ciiiiigucer yards, it is not likely that ti?c repairs required will be costly for rurcv years to come. Tn ,:> advantages to be derived from the 07.-.i.-^!sg of this line are unmistakably --filurrble. although che beuent it will civnr.tely afford can not be esti-r.t^-'i until rhs line is continued to ri.. ; ron — we say the line because ironliii and rail-engines must be employed *i'o?3 trie 2\orthern Eailway can become in? factory to the public; and continued -' Winton before the Lake district traffic Hi ire secured. Let this be accom-ir-r.f.-i and the broad lands of Southland ~}±i. -:-fi made to yield forth riches to an zii ;r ir ikaz few would expect. The agriuitxjral capabilities of this Province alr c-ai:h not yet deyeloped, are acknoff-

lodged to bo unsurpassed i\\ any ndn of j the Australian A company at Kama h&ve now on the way out all the ap* plianeeß for the erection of estoasive malting and brewing eatabliahmenta, and i the growing of barlSy for n alfcing puv- 1 poses ; the largo traots' of land recently purchased will be turned to a profitable account, and Southland become the granary of the Southern Provinces. It ib no boasting to $&y that for its size Southland is capable of carrying a population ; n excess of any other Province in the Middle Island. Bonds and population, industry aud 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 moat 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 ; th.it 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 gui ck and permanent. The opening of the Bluff* Harbor and Invercargill Railway is an event which ought to be celebrated by a public demonatration. The G-overntnent should declare the day a general holiday, and the public organize a gathering oii tho most liberal scale. On this occasion all should uuite to make the affair not only a success, but such a success that all the colonies will be made acquainted with what Southland, under a weight of difficulties, has accomplished. It would have wonderful elfect in removing the impression' that this Province was on its " last le-js" aud 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.