The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 4, 8 March 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1866.

The position of Nelson, at the bottom of a fine bay, has many advantages for a shipping port, it is so sheltered from the prevailing -winds of this latitude, that frequently while it is quite stormy outside on the West Coast, we are here in the enjoyment of beautiful weather. This we owe to the shape and height of the mountains which enclose our bay on either side, and intercept the westerly gales.. Yet this sheltered position has its disadvantagestoo being shutout by the mountains from the open sea, we have no means of ascertainingthe nature of the winds, which may be prevailing outside. There is now a very large fleet of steamers engaged in the trade between here and the West Coast, and it is a matter of considerable moment to be able to obtain, at. all times, reliable information in this particular, so that the movements of those vessels may be regulated thereby. In these days of scientific triumphs, there are few disadvantages of this nature but what can be remedied to some extent. The remedy for this would be a Hue of telegraph from Nelson to Cape FarevrelJ. As it is the iutention of the Geueral Government to place a lightship at the Sand Spit, this could well be made the terminus of the line, thus placing us in instantaneous communication with the open ocean at the part where all the steamers from Australia and the West Coast pass close to, this would enable us at all times to ascertain the nature of the prevailing, winds outside, as well as advising us of "the, approach of all vessels several hours earlier than we now have that information. We feel confident that a line of telegraph such as we have indicated, would yield a handsome return for the outlay. As it could be carried along the edge of the bay a considerable portion of the distance, thereby preventing the necessity of any line being cleared for it ; and as, also, the materials, required couJd be brought to the ground at little expense, its entire cost would be very moderate. Passing through the villages of Motueka, Riwaka, Takaka, Motupipi, and Collingwood, all of which places have considerable shipping and other business with Nelson, and would, therefore, have frequent occasion to avail themselves of the use of the telegraph ; a considerable return would be made from these settlements alone, independent of the large returns to be made by reporting the movements of vessels and other matters for the merchants and ship-owners of Nelson. The undertaking would, doubtless, pay a private company well, but as the General Government own the other lines, and as the lightship will be also in their charge, we should prefer to see this work being carried out by them too. In the Australian colonies telegraph lines have always proved to be the most profitable . of Government undertakings. There they have been carried immense distances, through thinly peopled districts from one small settlement to another. If a line from Hay to Deniliquin, through a country of sheep runs, pays over seven per cent, on the cost of construction, besides its working expenses, surely one would pay from Nelsou to Cape Farewell, passing through several wellpeopled districts.