West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 263, 27 July 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1866.

We fear we must come to the final conclusion that, the telegraph wire is a failure. During the past few weeks there has been a constant succession of " interruptions." These interruptions are of the most serious consequence to business men. The facilities of conimuuiealiun offered them by the Elecirio Telegraph have led, .to a considerable extent, to their disuse of the ordinary maehiuery of correspondence. Men find it convenient to provide thiough this channel, for the fulfilment of commercial engagements, aud for the conduct of large speculative transacti >ns. And if, in the moment of emergency, communication is suddenly broken, the consequences may possibly be most disastrous, and aie certain to be most inconvenient.

The successful working of the wire between Ilokitika and Christohurch during the first few weeks of its operation, induced a general (Impendence aipon 'it as an effective tn^ans of communication. We believe we nre correct in saying, thatthc j very large number of messages sent and exchanged afford proof of the value attached to the telegraph, and of the disposition to make use of it. For atimv the wire worked admirably, and it would have continued to do so if there were nothing but summer weather and gentle zephyrs in New Zealand. Unfortunately, however, rude winds prevail occasionally, as well as nuods and other incidents of a tempestuous climate. The result is, that with a most perfect apparatus at the telegraph i-vtalion, and a most accomplished and obliging operator, we are left for s< me two days out of every three without the means of inter-communication.

It has been a boast that the Westland telegraph line is the cheapest that has been constructed ia the colonies. We very much fear that practically it will prove to be the earest. It is hard to calculate the losses its vexatious irregularities occasion. Nor indeed, ia it easy to form an adequate estimate nf the charges involved in the incessam work of repair Men haTC to be employed to scour the country, almost every other diy, to discover where the latest "break" has occurred, aud to make things straight again for another few hours. This necessarily involves a very large expense. A further heavy I'kss is occasioned by the non-transmis-sion of messages. And on the score of economy, we believo it is not too much to say, that ' the laj'ing down of an earth cable, iv substitution of the present -wire, would be a. politic and prudent measure. The character of the country that has to be crossed is altogether unfitted for the cheap and easy system that has been adopted; and it is well tlat the fact should be looKed in the face at once, before more disappointment and loss have been occasioned, and more money spent. The question is, whether we shall go on maintaining a sort of toy telegraph, always breaking down when we most rely upon its use ; or whether, without any further dribbling away of public money, a good substantial work shall be completed.

That is a question with which Christclmrch has very much to do, and towards the solutiou of which it may be properly expected to make substantial contribution. Within the last few days most important intelligence has been received in iv Ilokitika, both of a commercial and of a general character. The news brought by the Auckland was telegraphed through, and reached Christchurch several days in anticipation of any intelligence that could be canied to it direct through any other chaunei. On the following day much later news was brought by the Otago, from Sydney; but in tbe meantime commu uication with ChrUtchuvch had become Jnte-rupte'l. East Cuiterbury will tlw.iys have to rely for its latest news ip n arrivals of steamers on the West Coast, and the fact establishes a strong claim upou th.it portion of the province to deal liberally with the prosecution of a work which every day shows to be most necessary — the construction of a substantial and reliable means of telegraphic communication between East and West.