OUR MONTHLY LETTER HOME.

Southland Times, Issue 1525, 16 January 1872, Page 3

OUR MONTHLY LETTER HOME.

In politics the month has, as might have been expected, been dull. Since the close of the session, Ministers have been j chiefly engaged making the necessary arrangements for carrying out the scheme of Public Works and Immigration. In furtherance of that object two additions have lately been made to their number in the persons of Mr Ormond, Superintendent cf Hawke's Bay, and Mr Reeves, : member in the Assembly for Selwyn, a Canterbury constituency. Mr Ormond holds the portfolio of Minister of Public Works, and will confine his duties mainly to the administration of the department in the North Island. Mr Eeeves is appointed Resident Minister for the Middle Island, and exercises supervision over Public Works in that, part of the colony. In pursuance of hia appointment, Mr Reeves has arrived in J Dunedin, and from telegraphic information lately to hand it is understood that he will visit Southland. Some anxiety is felt upon the subject of his visit, arising out of a ministerial programme lately issued relative to the completion of certain railways. From that source wo learn that the eastern l'me, connecting Invercargill with the boundary of the late proviuce, isto begone on withatonce. Working plans for beginning operations are well advanced, and strenuous efforts are being made to get the first section commenced at once. Assurances have been given that the interests of the district in this respect will be favorably considered, and the general feeling is that before the date ot" next month's outgoing mail, decided action will have been taken in the matter. The railway extension to Lake Wakatipu has been mentioned as a work for completion at the end of four years. Although this does not affect the question of its early commencement, some disappointment has been expressed that an earlier completion should not have been decided upon. To such an extent did this feeling prevail throughout the Wakatipu district, that representations were made on the subject to head-quarters. lv explaining its intention, the Government concluded its reply with the significant intimation that the determination was not unalterable, and that other arrangements might be made to suit the circumstances. The interests affected by this railway, together with the extent of country it will penetrate, lead us to believe that a proper representation will induce the Government to recognise it as a work of more than ordinai*y pressing importance, in which case an earlier'date will be fixed for finishing it. With respect to its commencement, we are told upon the authority of the Superintendent of the province, that so soon as working plans for the Mataura are finished, a start will be made with plans for the Wakatipu. A few post-sessional deliverances have been made during the month, although it is to be noted the Southland representatives have as yet maintained a profound silence. This is the more remarkable as the action of some of their number iv the Assembly was, to say the least of it, perplexing. The most noticeable deliverance we have had is that of Mr T. B. Gillies, member for Auckland city. As an avowed opponent to the Government, in fact, a " leader of the opposition," such as it was, his speech is interesting as an index to what that oppositiou really meant. So far as its standing in tho House of Assembly was concerned, it did not exhibit the merest rag of a policy ; in number it was not only small, but it was absolutely devoid of men who could command respect as political leaders. The speech confirms the suspicion all along entertained, viz., that the opposition was founded upon no constitutional basis, and that it only aimed at irritating and retarding the operations of the session. Mr Gillies's example has been followed by one or two lesser lights of the party, whose utterances may briefly be described as a bad imitation of that of their leaders. Our relations as a district with the Provincial Government of the province continue to be as unsatisfactory as ever. Complaints are coining in from every part of the district of the utter neglect to which such public works as the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, &c, are subjected. Sums of money have been voted for various purposes, but to all appearance the Government is without the means of expending these votes. Certain provisions have been made for the establishment of schools under the Otago Educational Ordinance, but the fact that these are inadequate to the requirements of the place was lately exemplified in an application from the School Committee to the Municipal Council of Invercargill requestI ing that certain endowments belonging to the latter should be devoted for scholastic purposes. The application was declined on the ground that at the present time educational matters did not come within the functions of the Council. It is fortunate for the province I that the public works of the colony have j to a very great extent been taken over as a part of the General Government policy. The immigration part of the Public Works scheme is at present attracting lively attention. The special settlements projected are expected to utilise an extent of territory which has for a long time been allowed to remain dormant. Acting I on a suggestion made by the Superintendent, the neueleus of a local immij gration agency has been formed for the purpose of disseminating information as to the conditions on which parties residing within tho province can arrange with Government for bringing out their friends. The wool season is now well advanced. The first ship direct from, the Bluff haa all but comoleted her cargo, and will sail in a few days. A second ship, the Christian M'Ausland,is to belaid on the berth, and will shortly arrive from Dunedin. I ■