Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Southland Times, Issue 708, 12 August 1867, Page 3

EIVEETON ELECTION. (from a cobeespokdent.) On Tuesday, the 6th inst., the noiniua- j tion of candidates for this district took place at the Court House, Eiverton. The Eeturning Officer (Mr Surman) having read the writ for the election, called upon the electors to nominate candidates. Mr T. Horn proposed, Mr P. Sheldrick seconded Mr Theophilus Daniels. The Eev. L. M'Gillivery proposed, Mr Clulee seconded, Dr Hodgkinson. Mr J. M'Donald proposed, Mr J. Paterson seconded, the Eev L. M'Gillivery. Mr Scully proposed, Mr T. Horn seconded, Mr Christopher Basstian. The gentlemen having been duly nominated, a show of hands was called for by the Eeturning Officer, and upon being taken, it was declared to be in favor of Messrs Daniels and Basstian. A poll was demanded. Mr. T. Daniels said:— The great question of the day is whether we are to have railways or not. Allow me to state, that when the Bluff and Invercai'gill line was first proposed, I expressed my views — that the Colony was not sufficiently advanced for such an enormous outlay, feeling convinced we should be saddled with a debt and empty coffers, which all our land sales could not replenish. I opposed the sclieme ; however, suffice it to say, the cry of a cheap Eailway, agitated by locusts and men of passage, once set up, showing their pretty little model, soon the agitation became magnified into a raging mania with the merchants and inhabitants of Invercargill and the Province generally. Heedlessly they rushed headlong to obtain it, and I felt that they would some day find themselves incumbered with a ruinous toy. So far we find 1 was right. So much for your first Eailway scheme which was entered into without considering the cost and me;ms of payment ; even at the present time we find the returns alarmingly less than the amount of working expenses ! Then, I ask, how is the interest of the enormous capital to be paid? and where are the funds to keep it in repair ? I am convinced that our New Zealand timber will not last more than four or five years as sleepers, and much less, if not "selected from the best kinds , and I believe the cost of keeping the line in repair will always far exceed its returns. Therefore, gentlemen, I maintain my former opinion, and consider we are not sufficiently advanced for Eaiiways, particularly the Eastern Line, which is to form a part of the main trunk line. As far as the interest of Southland is concerned, I say let us remain quiet for a time ; we may then find that it will ultimately have to be formed by the General Government through the Province, and being considered such a great benefit to the company, they will certainly assist in. its formation. If we require railways, then go on with the ]S~orth Line, not only to Winton, but to the Dome Pass, and then we shall be enabled to secure the Lake traffic and trade. It would go through the Province, open up a large tract of land for agricultural purposes, new runs for cattle and sheep, give easy access for squatters to convey their cattle, wool, supplies and so forth. Thus, Southland and its inhabitants generally would be benefited, whilst the East line would only go through a corner of the Province, and the greater part through private property. The North live land would increase the value of land, and it might realize £5 to c£6 per acre, and increase the land funds. Should the Middle Island become separated from the Northern, numerous jealousies and much ill feelings of the different provinces and towns would arise as to the seat of government. I should like to recommend that it should be at the Lakes, the climate is all that could be desired. It would throw an immense quantity of land into the market of our back country ; the interior would soon be populated; a northhrn line could then be made to Kingston, and Dunedin could have a line, branching off the main line by M'Nab's up the Waimea Plains, and join us at the Dome Pass. T t would be central and of easy access to all parts. Southland would then flourish, capitalists would flock thither and purchase our available lands. Having a good harbor at the Bluff, we need no East line, for as soon as the trunk line is formed, ships from the Home countries will go to Otago, and our goods be forwarded by rail. Dunedin will be a mart for storekeepers to resort to, hence, where will arise our custom's dues. I warn you all, do not madly join in the cry of railways without first well considering whether we need them or not. The other candidates gave an explanation of their political Yieps, all of wnich were listened to with