The Bruce Herald. "Nemo me impune lacesset" TOKOMAIRIRO, MAY, 28, 1878.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1013, 28 May 1878, Page 5

The Bruce Herald. "Nemo me impune lacesset" TOKOM AIRIRO, MAY, 28, 1878.

In another column will be found a correspondence in reference to the Clarksville' Juubtion question. Its publication oomes "bppb"rt s unely in connection with the public meeting which is to be held in Milton on Friday evening next. Th.9 correspondence is of a decided and yet indefinite character. Mr Com'Exs 's quite settled in his opinion as to tbe removal of the OJarksviUe Junction; His reasons'are not so fixed. They are, as stated by himself, simply such as cannot be understood by anyone except himself," and are therefore not worth mention by him. Well, without going into thi« point, may we point oub to Mr Contbbs that what is wanted is not an. interference with the gooda traffic- on the Tuapeka line via Clarkaville, but a remedy for the horrible discomforts passengers are subjected to under existing arrangements. And, with Mr Cowybrs expressed desire to do all he can for the comfort and convenience of passengers before us, there is no doubt that he will see a way known only to those partially acquainted with the matter for remedyingan evil that, is daily crying aloud for redress. These remarks are made in no <ok:ii of disparagementas regards Mr Comraks. That gentlemanV; general management of railways in NeW Zealand is beyond praise. Hi* appointment as .Commissioner of Bail ways for the Middle Island was recognised at once as indisputable in point of fitness and, did geographical circumstances permit, the Government could ;do no better than to give him control of all the working railways throughout the Colony. But " Jupiter sometimes nods," and Mr Oonyehs, it is not unreasonable to suppose, has been rather hasty in his off-hand disposal of the Clarka-, villeV Junction question. However, it is not the removal of the Junction that is now asked. All that is wanted is such an alteration of existing arrangements as may enable passengers to break their trip to Tuapeka at Milton instead of at Clarksville, by which they will not be compelled to wait for an hour, or an hour and a half, on a bleak platform,' hungry, thirsty, and unsheltered. That fa all that the requisitionistsfrom Milton, Tuapeka, and Balclutha really require. Messrs Clark and Mub,rat, who are interested in making something out of the unknown quantity Clarkville represents, expreas themaelves, we believe, quite satisfied that some arrangement should be made by which the delay in pasenger traffic should take place at Milton instead of at Clarksville. If so, why did they oppose Mr Wayne's very mild motion on the subject at the last meeting of the Bruce County Council? And why, having done so, are they bo ready now to admit that there 'are inconveniences in the passenger traffic which require amelioration. Is it not possible that a sprat is being thrown out to catch a whale. Mr Clarke for many years has been a representative of the old log-rolling interests in the Provincial Counand other extinct bodies, and is probably not averse to representing similar interests under our new institutions. The remarkable'manner in which he took the chairmanship of the County Council for nothing the first year, and the patriotism he displayed in accepting a salary tbe next year show that he is not unwilling to sacrifice his time to the country no matter what form of government may be in existence. , People will take a peculiar view of circumstances like these, and people are even now saying that Mr Clarke is not unwilling to replace our vivacious member Mr Murray when the proper time comes. Of course, then it will not do for him to let the Clarksville Junction matter go too far. We should not be at all surprised to see him coming forward, and bis faithful friend Mr Murbat with him, to advocate the very alterations in the passenger traffic which are now desired. There is is a vulgar but expressive saying quite applicable to this kind of thing. That is " thank you for. nothing." We may, perhaps, get from the expectant member for Bruce, that which the representative of the populous township of Clarksville would never' grant. By all means let us accept such help as may be offered by the wire-pullers ; but let us not be mistaken as to the motives which dictate that help. In this connection we may say that it has been pointed out to us by the parties signing the requisition for the meeting on Friday night, that though the advertwment

calling the same is addressed to the burgesses of Milton, the meeting is intended to be one for all personsinterestedinthe question under consideration, and; that therefore, all such are freely invited to attend and take part in the proeedings.

The returns of population for the whole , Colony, as disclosed by the last census, were telegraphed from Wellington last night, and appear in the Bkttce Herald this morning. The total population it will be seen is 414, 171, exclusive of Maoris,- and is made up of .230,898 males, and 183,273 females. The population as disclosed by the census of 1874, was 170,903 males, and 128,482 females, or a total of 299,385. The increase during the four years is 114,786, which, even allowing for what may be termed the, abnormal accession to population, caused by free immigration, is an enormous one. And it must be remembered teo that this same abnormal increase has been considerably lessened of late, so that we may fairly assume that it has been no more, in proportion, than it was between the years 1871 and 1874, when the total increase of population amounted to 42,992. It is evident that, despite the ruin which rival politicans assert that those opposed to them J are bringing npon the Colony, the country has resources which can carry it along in spite of party politics. No one can deny i credit to the public works and immigration policy, of Sir Julius Vo&Ei/ for the developof those resources which are evidenced in tb« census returns of 1878.