Wanganui Chronicle. AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1887.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 11636, 7 November 1887, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle. AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1887.

Otjr answer to the Herald's querulous rejoinder that we condemn Mr Ballance "for whatever course ho pursues," is, that when a politician's course is so uniformly crooked it is really difficult to avoid condemning him. In the case under notioe, however, we are freed from any possible suspicion of either political or personal bias, inasmuch as we condemned in anticipation any such alteration of the boundaries of ths Harbour Bating distriot as Mr Ballanoe has proclaimed his readinesß to acoept, before any suoh thing had been publioly suggested, or it was apparent that the member for Wanganui had any hand in it. Our first remarks were directed at the Harbour Board, and we were exceedingly pleased to find thereafter that we had heen mistaken in oar fears, and that the board were just as strong in favour of the original boundaries as we were ourselves. It now remains to be seen what the members of the board will say to the light and airy way in whioh their resolution has been J_m_!S-?.-_3BS* afli.flrlM«r n ato»R/h **..-&- been treated. The board will have to decide whether in future its deliberate decisions are to have any weight or whether they are to be subject to alteration or revocation by any two or three members who may meet in the street. By most bodies the latter course, whenever ventured upon, is considered a piece of the most consumate impudence, and is generally put down in a manner so short and and sharp that the offenders are generally shy of attempt* ing anything of tbe sort again. Our contemporary alludes to the rateable value of the portion of the diatriot whioh Mr Ballance proposes to surrender. That is not inconsiderable ; but it is not so much the amount, as the prinoiple tbat is at stake, tbat we contend for. Why, for instance, should a whole road district beyond the " strip of country " in dispute, and the settlers in whioh have to aome through tho " strip " to get to town, be rated for harbour purposes when the " strip " itself is struok out. It is suoh manifest unfair* ness as this that will endanger the prospects of the poll, even Bhould the bill become law. . + . „ „ « Thk Ohristohuroh Press speaks in a very hopeiul strain of the improved prospects legitimate land aettlemeut uuder the administration of the new Government. Our contemporary says; — They (th» Government) purpose also to give the colony •• another chance." They fully recognise the great resources of whioh New Zealand is posseased.and they come forward witb a simple and infcelligableplan of utilising these resourcesDaring the last three years the lands of the -colony have been under the oontrol of a mere theorist, with the reault that the people have practically beea precluded from making any real use of that valuable estate. Theories are now to be dispensed with, and common sense is to be exercised in future in connection with land administration. It is scarcely ', possible to predict whafc the conse- ' quenoes will be. With a restored oredit, and a simple land law, we may confix j dently look forward fco a large increase in our rural population. Men with ' means will again seek our shores, Our j lands will be made productive. The t demand for labour will inorease, and we may look forward at no distant date to a renewal of that sound prosperity upon which alone substantial progress f can be based. ' * a »■■ -■ This Auokland people are making a big c Bffort to secure a diversion of the Main } Trunk Kailway Line, in favour of the " Stratford route. There is not much b likelihood, however, of Parliament a ?oing back upon the route originally ieoided upon, especially after so muoh aaoney has already been spent on it. g Ihe speoial Parliamentary correspon» lent of tbe Auokland Herald has carefully sounded tbe authorities ag to the r < jrospect of any such alteration, and vires the followiug to his journal on he subject :— I have had a conversation vith the Minister for Publio Works, , he hon E. Mitchelson. relative to the sentral line. He is etill of opinion that gl t is fche best for the country in the first nstaru. The land along tho seotion j a rom Mai .oa to Hunterville is of good &r

SI u a! ity, and is rapidly being taken up I and occupied by a good class of settlors'. 1 Beyond Hunterville the land is also of fair qaality, for some fifty miles, so that there is in reality from the Marten end some seventy miles of fair agricultural and gracing country along the central line. The Premier and the Minister for Publio Works intend to Btand fast by the central route for the North Trunk Bailway. They are agreeable to the oonstruotion of a metalled road from New Plymouth to Stratford er any oth.r suitable point, connecting with the North Island Trunk line. The cost of such a work would not be more than the amount already expended in snagging the Wanganui River and on roads iv tbat distriot.