TASMANIA.

Southland Times, Issue 1057, 16 November 1868, Page 2

TASMANIA.

From recent files of ; papers to hand from Tasmania we are glad to notice that not only the Grovernment but the inhabitants are at last awakening to the necessity of bestirring themselves to keep pace with the sister colonies, and to develope some of the many resources in which that beautiful island abounds. The Launceston and Western Bailway, extending some forty miles Jntot a rich agricultural district iv the norfchj^is in course of construction. A sum of £6000 was recently voted by~ihe~ Legislature for a parliamentary survey of a main line to connect Hobarton and Launceston, which work will be entrusted to Messrs Doyne, Major and Willet of this city, who are also engineers to the northern line. Premiums for the establishment of several important industries have heen offered by the Grovernment ; and Mr C. Q-ould, late Grovernment geologist, has been engaged to make a thorough examination ofthe coal measures and other mineral deposits in the supposed direction of the main line of railway, with a view tc their being profitably worked when increased facilities exist for transport. In addition to these signs of progress, a Hop-growers' Association has-been established at New Norfolk, for t^e promulgation of information and the protection of the interests of the growers ; and woollen manufacturing compares, have started at each end of the island, with every prospect of success. We are glad to see our neighbors waking up, inasmuch as when the submarine cable across the Straits is in working older — which it will be, as we learn from the local journals in April next — we shall be placed in

more immediate connection with them, socially and commercially. Pair progress is reported of the Launceston and Deloraine Bailway works. The operation of the new tariff had brought the Customs up considerably during September, the returns showing an excess of £3561 9s 8d over the amount collected in August. The figures given in the ' Gazefcte ' stand : — Collected at Hobarton, £6043 5s 3d; at Launceston, £5944. Total, £11,987 5s 3d. The total duties collected in August amounted to £8125 15s 7d— ' Leader,' 24th October.