The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 625, 30 January 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1867.

Perhaps no greater injury at present could be inflicted on the future prospects of the Province than the ill-advised action of the Provincial Council in throwing out ihe Eailway Leasing Ordinance. It will be in the recollection of our readers that shortly after the visit of Major Eichabdson to this Province, a couple of years ago, that gentleman being at the time a member of the General Government, a voluminious report was laid on tbe table of the House of Eepresentatives, the result of his labors. Amongst other things, Major Richaedson advocated that the unfinished railways should be completed at the cost of the General Government, as a colonial benefit, and acting on this suggestion 25,000 acres of land were set apart for that purpose — the estimate furnished as necessary to complete the Bluff' line. But the difficulties of the General Government, increasing rapidly about this time, together with the uncertain temper of the Assembly, torn as it was, with internal dissensions, arising out of the question of Separation, then under discussion, rendered useless the consideration of subjects of purely Provincial interest. It shortly

afterwards happened that a change of Government occurred, which changed the aspect of the railway question, and Mr Stafford, as head of the new Ministry, refused to allow any land to he devoted to works of public utility in Southland. However, in order not entirely to stop Provincial progress, the Premier was not unfavorable to a leasing scheme, and he intimated that if capatalists could be found to finish the line to Winton, a lease would be sanctioned of both lines, as an equivalent for the outlay incurred. With this object in view, His Honor the Superintendent urged the passing of a Leasing Ordinance. Offers were subsequently received from Messrs Smyth and Skand to finish the North line with iron rails, provided that a lease was granted, but also engaging to hand the line over to the Government as soon as they were in a position to refund the amount expended on its construction. Of course the Government acting upon constitutional usage, did not bino. itcAlf to entertain this particular offer without first consulting tie Council, and submitting the terms of leasing to public competition in this and the neighboring colonies, nor did it anticipate the slightest difficulty in carrying the measure, looking on it as a one of public utility ; but the late action of the Council is calculated effectually to prevent any steps being taken to finish the work, and yhus a most valuable asset will become utterly useless. A more misjudged or narrowminded policy could not have been pursued by the Council, and if it has the interest of the Province at heart, the sooner it undoes what it has done the better for the community at large. It must be borne in mind that a great part of the work is already executed ; that the whole line is formed to Winton, and that the large amount of money that has already been spent upon this work will be quite thrown away unless the work is finally finished. We trust that the Council will reconsider this subject, and that such measures will be taken that will enable the line to be completed to Winton, and thus open up a magnificent agricultural country that will otherwise remain barren and unprofitable. This course will not interfere with the making of roads or other necessary public works. It will not cost the G-overnment a penny, but, on the contrary it will be a lasting benefit to the Province, and a standing record of our desire to aid in a general scheme of railways throughout the Middle Island. Adopting our usual rule on topice of Puovincial interest, we hold over the report of the Council's proceedings until next issue, when a fuU report wttl appear. We perceive that Miss Juno will take a farewell benefit next Friday evening. The programme announced is both attractive and eutertaining. It is to be hoped that this accompUshed lady will meet with a full house and a cordial reception previous to her departure from the Province. The following is the state of H.M's Gaol for the week ending Tuesday, the 29th inst : — Sentenced to penal servitude, 5 males ; to hard labor 5 males and 1 female ; debtors, 2 males. Total, 12 males aud 1 female. Received during the week 1 male. Discharged during the week, 1 male, and 1 female. Decrease for the week, 1 female. There is at present on view at Mr Broad's window, in Tay-street, a very chaste and handsome cup, to be run for during the ensuing Inveicargttl races. It is very elegantly got up, and reflects great credit on the workman. It is of silver, highly decorated, and gilt inside, and is valued at 25 sovereigns. It wttl be awarded to the winner of the Farmer's entry. It wiU be seen from our advertising columns that a Southland Steam Navigation Company is about being started, and judging from the Ust of names of the committee, the undertaking is likely to prove a success. It is proposed to trade between Dunedin, InvercargUl, and Riverton, thus putting every facttity within the reach of the smatt settler to dispose of his produce in the Dunedin markets. In every way the company wttl prove a great boon to this Province, and we trust that it will receive that amount of support its importance deserves. We examined some very fine specimens of new potatoes at the stores of MitcheU & Co. We understand that they are from the Waikivi district, and speak weU for the prolific resources of Southland as an agricultural district. Some of them are a pound weight. Mr Cooper, of Tay-street, fruiterer, exhibits a monster cucumber, measuring nearly two feet in length, also raised in the Bame locaUty. The performance at the Theatre Royal last evening was but thinly attended. This however, may be attributed to the unpropitious state of the weather, the rain pouring incessantly during the evening. Miss Juno looked the "Lucretia Borgia," and her acting was weU and truly conceived. The piece, however, is rather more adapted to a larger community. The entertainment generally proved a success. A number of Chinamen (says the Melbourne Argus) have been engaged for the harvest operations in the Lake Learmonth district. Their arrival created some excitement among the European loafers, who were hanging about the hotels, waiting for engagements at extertionate prices. The Tasmanian Morning Herald of the 39 th ultimo contains the foUlowin choice specimen of senatoral eloquence uttered by the late Colonial Secretary, Mr Meredith, on a debate in the House of Assembly on the 28th ultimo, on a question of privilege : — " Mr Meredith rose and called attention to the presence in the House of the greatest scoundrel in Tasmania, sitting in that corner (pointing to Mr Allen of the Mercury); He was a most unblushing vilUan, and he declined to sit down in the House with him (order, order). He unheitatingly asserted that there was na a greater vagabond at Port Arthur. He is the greatest vttlian in the colony (loud cries of order. He did not care, he would not sit down in the House with such a scoundrel order, order,— sit down, sir)."

We learn that payable gold has been discovered at Port WiUiam, Stewart's Island. A pprty, consisting of some half-dozen persons proceeded to the Island some short time since, and prospected vith successful results, getting some r ather coarse gold. They returned to town, and applied to the Commissionar of Crown Xands for protection, and we understand that it is their intention to again renew their search for the precious metal. Other prospecting parties are -Kboly to take a trip to the locality. Tt is very satisfactory to notice, says the Westhind Observer, the gradual increase of population which has set in to this district. Scarcely a day passes without the arrival of five or six diggers, and at a rough estimate there cannot have been less than sixty men added to our population tvithin the last fortnight. Some have pitched iheir tents near the town, waiting most likely to hear whether it be advisable to try the Lake district, or to take up claims on the beaches ; whilst others have passed through the township without stopping, and made their way to the Three and Five-mile Beaches. This looks healthy, and gives n 8 hope that the tide in the affairs of Okarita has turned. The population of the Okarita district, from the Little Wanganui to the Haast River, is estimated at 700. We notice the arrival in town of a gentleman, A. M. Weldon, Esq., formerly weU and favorably known as Director of Telegraphs in this Proviece. He has lately, however, received the important appointment of Inspector of Telegraphs for the Middle Island. We understand tbat he has inspected the whole of the telegraph wires from Nelson to the Bluff, adistance'of 800 miles, having accomplished the journey on horseback. His report to the General Government wttl no doubt be interesting and important, and may be expected to contain some valuable suggestions for the efficient maintenance of the line which his long experience with telegraphy enables him to offer. The Provincial Council of Canterbury was formally prorogued on Saturday, January 12. In his speech proroguing the House, his Honor stated it to be his intention to visit the West Coast at the earliest opportunity. He also expressed his concurrence in the opinion of the Council regarding the railway to the West Coast, and stated that he would take measures te carry the resolution of the Council into effect. The Saltwater Diggings (says the Grey River Argus of the 19th inst:s have again grown into importance, recent discoveries of a very valuable character having been made. The most important rush in this neighborhood appears to be to that known as the " cement lead," a continuation of which has been found on this side the Saltwater Creek in a direct line. Regarding the latter ru3h. it appears that some Welshmen have been working on the quiet there for some time, and preferred to remain incognito rather than apply for a prospecting claim. However, their secret became known, and they then came into town to obtain a prospecting claim, and application for which was made by one Evan Owen on Thursday. By this time, however, the ground had been rushed, and the Warden could not, in the face of the disputes it would occasion, grant an extended claim to the prospectors. We learn that the population has increased largely during the last 24 hours. The police estimate the population on the various leads at 6000. On Christmas Day, the grounds of the Otago Acclimatisation Society were visited by about 700 persons. Lately, several English blackbirds and thrushes have been liberated in the adjoining bush, and their sweet songs are very frequently heard. Alluding to the proposed sub-marine telegraph between Tasmanian and Victoria, the Launceston Examiner says : — " We have no objection to a sub-marine telegraph between this and Victoria, which would bring the colony into communication with Brisbane on the one hand, and Adelaide on the other. But however desirable, this is not the time to increase the expenditure. An ignorant, reckless, and corrupt Ministry have plunged the country into very serious financial difficulties, and the income is far below the expenditure. We want wide retrenchment, and the removal of obnoxious and mischevious taxes, not fresh burdens. To propose, therefore, with a deficiency of £40,000 per annum, to incur an expense of £70,000 for sub-marine cable seems so monstrous that the men must have been mad who could be guilty of such folly. It is certain that in our present circumstances the colony would not benefit seventy-thousand pence by the outlay. The luxuries must be reserved until the taxes are reduced and the Treasurer s account shows a surplus in the bank. The foUowing letter from His ExceUency to the Superintendent of Auckland was pubUshed in the Southern Cross of the Bth instant : — " Rotoaire, Dec. 31, 1866. His Honor F. Whitaker, Esq., Auckland. My dear sir, — In fulfilment of my promise I write to say that the whole country, from Tauranga and Orakei Korkako, on the Waikato, to this place, is in a most satisfactory state. I believe the same state of things prevails on to Wanganui, for which place I am just starting. The people everywhere anxious to have Europeans amongst them; and traveUers may rely upon being treated with the greatest kindness. In some places, they have already built, and at others they are about to build, guest houses where travellers can obtain necessaries. This part of New Zealand is in a better state than I have ever known it. The natives show a ' greater desire to have Europeans amongst them, and to foUow our customs, than at any previous time. lam sure you would have been pleased if you could have seen the delight that has been everywhere shown at the Governor coming into the country, and at the certainty they now feel that Europeans will soon follow the Governor. Many of them are anxious to let their lands for sheep runs. We have just come down from Tongariro. I thought it better to go up the mountain to show that the whole country was truly open, and that their old fooUsh ideas were at an end. We had a miserable day, misty, and ' terrible wind and cold. I saw nothing but fog and smoke, and was almost perished with cold, , but thought it better to accompUsh the object I had in view ; any one who likes may now go up the mountain, i£ he takes two or three guides at the rate of ten shiUings a man. This will really hardly pay for shoe-leather. I congratulate you heartUy on the state of this large part of the Province of Auckland, and trust that your Government will seize this opportunity of permanently uniting the natives of the interior to the European race.— Truly yours, (signed) G. Grey."