Untitled

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5154, 25 February 1888, Page 2

Nnv Zealaotxkhs fake it great interest in tlie progress of the Panama caiuil, as on the completion of the work it is thought

that this colony will be brought so much nearer to markets for its produce. For onrsolves, we confess that, as regards New Zealand and England, tho canal will be of vory littlo commercial value. Iv the days when tho Panama mail sorvieo was in operation, communication with England was no quicker than at the present time, and the route was as unhealthy as could bo selected. It was in consequence of so many people dying on tho voyage that the route became unpopular, and ou the termination of the mail contract, it was not thought worth while to renew it. Wo can imagine no moro sickly passage than that would bo through the Panama canal, creeping along through fever-stricken jungle under a tropical sun. It was bad enough to cross the Isthmus by railway. We do not believe, however, that tho canal will over be completed. Private lotters received from Panama report as follows:— 1 ' No work of any importance is being done on tho canal. Two leading firms of contractors are said to be embarrassed financially. Another prominent contractor claims over 000,000 dollars from the company. Several important judgments have been filed against, tho Canal Company, aud many seizures and sales aro advertised. ' The eaual is practically dead already,' said a prominent engineer tho other day, ' though the efforts in Paris to galvanise the remains may keep up an appearance of lifo for some time to come.' Tho importation of the poor Libcrians still continues. They are magnificent specimens of manhood—coal-black. It was fondly believed that they could resist this deathdealing climate, but the event has proved otherwise. Of tho 252 who were the first to be brought here 36 died within four months. The statement of M. Blancet, in his roccut work ou tho Panama Canal, that tho canal has already cost over forty thousand lives, is believed by careful observers here to bo no exaggeration. Tho Government of Jamaica ordered an investigation and sent Dr. Gaylord to tho Isthmus. It is expected that his findings will lead the Governor of Jamaica to issue a proclamation warning Jamaicans against going to the Isthmus.