THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3507, 22 March 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT YOUR FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1880.

The Hon. Mr Rolleston remarked before leaving the Thames that he was agreeably surprised at the degree of progress made in the district, and what he had seen had quite removed his previous conception of the place, and impressed him with the belief that a great future was in store for this part of the peninsula. The admission is a candid one, creditable alike to the good sense of the speaker and his intelligence. Mr Eolleston came here probably supposing the place to be like what a township on the West Coast would bo after a season of mining depression. He has had some experience of such townships, as he was for years Superintendent of Canterbury, and no doubt remembers cases where large populations were at one time assembled, buildings erected, with trade prosperous, to be perhaps within a few months, not to say years, a deserted and wretchedlooking locality. A new rush, a slight falling off in the yield of gold, has caused the inhabitants of many a township on the West Coast to leave in a body, and the place to become in a shoit time almost forgotten. We are sorry to say many residents in the South Island entertain similar views of our field, bufc'the knowledge gained by Mr Rolleston, we believe will have the effect of in a great measure removing such impressionsThe capabilities of the Upper Country to support a large population the Minister of Lands fully believes, and the action of the Waste Lands Board in throwing open blocks of land especially upon the Deferred Payment System has Mr Rolleston's unqualified approval. We believe that the district is likely to receive more benefit from the visit of the only member of the present Government who has found time to traverse it than can be estimated. A capital impression has been taken away by Mr Rolleston, which from his position in the Cabinet may reasonably be expected to influence the decisions touching matters appertaining to the district. Very little delay may be anticipated in the matter of lands Mr Kolleston's own Department, and we are convinced the railway will find no opposition from him.