The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 257, 28 May 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1868.

The English news brought by the Panama Mail and published in another column, contains some items of the greatest significance that have reached the colonies for many months past. The telegram to hand is certainly somewhat confused, and is not so intelligible as it might have been, but at the same time the leading items are clear enough, and important withal. In the first place it will be a matter for equal congratulation, both on the English and Irish side of the channel, as well as in all parts of the colonies, by men of all opinions, that Mr Gladstone has commenced his attack, and at the very first engagement has all but driven the enemy to surrender. The battle is virtually already won, and it is now only a question of time as to how long the Irish State Church shall last. Though the present Ministry have on what was in fact a most important defeat, they have intimated their intention to do se if a majority is returned after the dissolution about to take place. The appeal to the country will, withe u-; much doubt, place Mr Gladstone in power, and when that is the case the reforms that he has already given notice of will surely become the law of the land. The London Times, as sure an indication of popular feeling in Great Britain as anything human can be, has already spoken strongly, so strongly indeed, as would never have been, had not those behind the scenes been pretty confident in their forecast of the future. We may take for granted that the three points of Mr Gladstone's charter—the three resolutions having reference to the abolition of the Irish State Church, the adjustment of the law between landlord and tenant, &c , &c, will certainly

be carried, and a regenerated Ireland, and the Times phrases it, a United Empire in every sense has already dawned. The other purely English, Irish, or Scotch news is not important if we except the bill for the abolition of church rtaes in England, which has passed. Flogging in the army is also one of the things of the past we hope, for the House of Commons has passed a bill to that effect, and it is scarcely likely that the Lords will veto it. Generally, as far as we are at present informed, the gloomy horizon that presented itself a few months back is greatly lightened, and the wars and rumours of wars impending seem to be gradually passing away. In France, however, the social condition is scarcely the same, and some rumbling that may foretell a political earthquake and the dissolution of the Napoleonic dream, I has already been heard. Though, admitedly, one of, if not the first, military nations in the world, the French are scarcely prepared to pay the price for " glory" that they did in the early part of the present century. In order to keep pace with his Prussian rival, Louis Napoleon has pushed on his army Act, which absorbs something like fifteen per cent of the population into the military strength of France, and we learn that this has naturally created anything but satisfaction, and riots in consequence have already arisen. It may yet be that in endeavoring to prop up his dynasty on bayonets, the present Emperor may be himself impaled thereon. From America the news is meagre. Jefferson Davis is again to be indicted, though how, why, when, or by whom, does not appear. Tears enough have now elapsed to let the matter sleep, and it is highly improbable that the present prosecution will do more than the past. The other farce by our American cousins, the impeachment of President Johnson is being solemnly played out, and the time had nearly come for the curtain to fall. It is to be hoped that when it does, the piece will not be again repeated. As a matter of course, fighting has been going on in South America and its neighborhood, but nothing special has come of it. Mexico appears to have discovered rather late in the day, that its dictator executed Maximilian illegally, but as the discovery is rather late in the day it is not of great value. Altogether the news to hand is of more moment to our own country than any one else, and though " the pomp and circumstance of war" still continues to be paid for by Europe, and America, no nation of importance seems inclined to put the latest deathdealing inventions to account. All reference to Abyssinia is mitted in the telegrams, and therefore we must wait a little longer before we receive any information regarding this expensive, and we fear, almost useless expenditure,

We lave from time to time vainly endeavored to rouse the latent selfinterest, if nothing else, of Westport and the surrounding district, in reference to the formation of a tramway between here and Charleston via Addison's Flat; and we have also made the public aware what steps were being taken for that end. As i 3 notorious, an enterprising gentleman on the coast took the matter in hand, and had all but brought it to completion when private circumstances compelled him to abandon it, just when it was qu the point of being carried out. He devoted a great deal of time to working out the idea, and during his research he gathered much valuable information in reference to its construction, which to himself is at present useless. Under these circumstances it is certain that if the Westport, Addison's, or Charleston public want a tramway they must put their own shoulders to the wheel, and we are glad to say that the Government has already offered to give them a very good lift in the matter. In another column an announcement appears to the effect that applications will be received from persons desirous of constructing a rail or tramway, either to Addison's only or on to Charleston as well. Plans and sections of the line have been prepared, and the cost of the cost of the scheme can be got at without difficulty by those inclined to enter into the speculation. In addition to this we are justified in believing that such inducements will be held out in other ways as must put the profit and loss part of the scheme beyond all question, and the question now is shall they be accepted or not ? It is folly to preach for ever in favor of an undertaking that should on its own merits so strongly recommend itself, and it is not our intention to continue to do so. We have shown by traffic returns a dozen times over, that if no aid of any description was given, the line could not be other than a successful speculalation, but when it is remembered that on its completion a large extent of

ground along the route will be ceded by the Government as a bonus, it will be clear to the most obtuse that such a work must be both profitable to its proprietors and useful to the public. On i hese grounds then, we might counsel that the invitation of the Government be promptly accepted, and that at least, the line to Addison's be set about at once. On this side of the argument however we do not depend, for this has been proved times without number, but we will now point out another fact that perhaps, on the ground of self interert alone may spur the veriest sluggard into action. Tue fact is this, —The Charleston public are a vast deal more ah\e to their own interests than those of Westport, and they have exerted themselves successfully to get a dray road, made from Charleston to Addison's. This letter, be it borne in mind, is not a project that may be carried out this day three years, but it will be begun and completed at once. By this, importers at Charleston will be able to supply the storekeepers at Addison's at less prices than the wholesale people of the Buller can. Vehicles of one kind and the other will convey passengers to and fro' without difficulty, small steamers can readily enter Constant Bay, at least at times, and the Westportians therefore, if they do not grasp the offer at their hand must be content to be subordinate to Charleston in commercial as well as in mining importance. Whether the proprietors of large business houses like the picture or not we cannot say —if it becomes reality they will like it less. On the other hand, should the line be carried out it will be of the greatest benefit to the general public of the three places. Goods will be cheapened, intercourse more frequent, low fares can be made profitable to the company, and general good would result to ail. Will then the residents form a company and carry out the project, or will they not ? If capital is wanted in such a scheme it can easily be got; the necessary amount is by no means so large as is supposed. Let all read the advertisement, examine the plans, satisfy themselves on the subject, and go into it with heart and hand. If a public meeting were called, a provisional committee could be appointed, and the shares would readily be disposed of. We do hope for the benefit of every one that the line will be at once considered, with a view to its early and prosperous completion. If the public neglect the warning, on their own heads will be the consequences.

It will afford both the residents on tine Caledonian and those in "Westport who have business in that direction, no little satisfaction to find that a track is at length to be made, that will not be a fine mud pond. Tenders are already i called for it, and Mr Sloan, overseer of works, will point out the track on Saturday next to intending tenderers. The piling at Morey's National hotel is also to be done at the same time, and one tenderer may include both works. The effect of having a passable road to the Caledonian will be most beneficial to the town, aud when it is constructed we may hope to have miners and others coming down at the end of each week to see such sights as Westport can afford them.