FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16061, 16 October 1912, Page 13

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

(From the " Lytic] ton Times" of Wednesday, October 15; 1302.)

It is for many reasons unfortunate that tlie General Government gave up their intended scheme of telegraphic communication between the provinces of this island. It seems to us Southerners incomprehensible that a vote should have been passed for buoying the Manukau channel, while the means of communication between the most important provinces of the colony should be comparatively neglected—at a crisis like the present. Tlio tradition of supremacy still clings about the North, and its representatives are determined to make the most of it. Hut while Auckland, on the strength of its being the capital, is getting its last little- job done, the South is bestirring iteclf in earnest. Fortunately, tho expenditure of a few thousand pounds oi the general revenues of the colony is not a matter of such moment to this island as to Auckland. "We ol>Berve by the last accounts from Otago that' tlio Superintendent of that province agreed to recommend the Provincial Council to place a sum of money on the Estimates for the formation of a lino of telegraph through the province. This determination is owing to a proposal made to tho Superintendent by the Postmaster-General on behalf of the General Government. Tho "Dailj Times" does not inform us what that proposal was, but of course it contemplated a similar recommendation on tho part of tho Canterbury and Nelson Governments. We do not doubt that here, at any rale, the movement of the Otago Government will be seconded. . . . To carry a line only as far as Timsru, as has been suggested, would ho comparatively useless; but when it is earned as far as the Waitangi southwards, we shall reap tho fullest advantages at once by obtaining instant communication with tho busiest market in New Zealand, and with the best port of call of the steamers carrying the English mails.

While some people are questioning altogether the utility of Provincial Governments, the province of Marlborough is blessed with two superintendents and two executive councils nt the same time.' Tn the " Marlborough Press " of September 19 and 26. advertisements appear siened bv " \V. D. H. Bailie" and "W. H. "Eves," both claiming to be Superintendent of the province. The former gentleman issues a notice apnointing "C. R. Kceno, Esq., and J. Godfrey. Esq.. to be members of his Executive " : while the latter cal's to his Council "H. G. Gouland. E*o., and J. Sinclair Eso." Captain Baillie. issues n proclamation proroguing the Council, and Mr Eyes issues a proclamation in which ho tells us that " Whereas I have been duly elected to the office of Superintendent, and whereas the late Superintendent persists in arrogating to himself tho function of my office and whereas the subordinate and other officers of the Provincial Government may be induced to act •■•ir'lpr the orders of the la+e Superintendent: Be it -therefore made known that I do hereby -prohibit all persons whatever from performing any office, function or work of whatsoever nature or kind which requires the sanction or authority of the Superintendent unless duly authorised by mo : and I hereby warn all persons that if thev perform any such acts or works without my express sanction and authority they d<> so at their own proper risk and peril."