SUPERINTENDENTS AND RAILWAYS AGAIN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 46, 25 February 1867, Page 2

SUPERINTENDENTS AND RAILWAYS AGAIN.

To the Editor of the ' Evening Mail.' motto. Mambo and Sambo differ but in name, Examiner and Colonist are but the same, The only difference, after all this rout, Is that the one is in, the other out ! Sm— Political motives which create great public men, according to uncle, are divided in three classes, namely : — lst. The desire to hear ourselves talk. 2nd. To have nothing else to do ; and 3rd. To get power and baubees. The last motive is the most natural and payable one, and as we have all crossed the big sea, to better our fortune it is but right that NewZealand politics should belong generally to this list and better class. Our battle cry is — Every one for himself and good wstges for all. If uncle had been alive, surely he would have backed Mr. Curtis in this Superintendent's race. Uncle would say, that Mr. Curtis had the first start, is willing to open the resources of the country, and intends to fill the pockets of the electors. He promises a railway to the West Coast, imports cash from capitalists of all parts of the globe, and is able to keep steam up, without even making use of our 01071 coal! These are great advantages, and will secure him many votes. But after all, though he puts in a good tender, I think Mr. Blackett could beat him. We all know that gold can construct railways, but then the gold on the West Coast belongs to the diggers, and will not come into our pockets. The sad state of Southland, the crisis in Canterbury, etc., where railways have been commenced, is not caused by the want of gold — on the diggings, but by the want of "tin" in the hands of Government. A little knowledge of geology would have told Mr. Curtis that "tin" can be found in the Wangapeka ranges, and as we all want " tin " why not make a second railway to the West Coast via Wangapeka? If Mr. Blackett would only show the advantage which such a second line would bestow upon our orchards in general, and the broad acres of the Waimeas in particular (besides promises of Jots of tin), I am sure he would get the best of it. Besides this, a little extra inducement might be given by the prospect of an occasional pic-nic on Mount Rochford, where donkeys, panorama, ginger-beer, and buns are given gratis by Government. One never ought to forget the ladies in such cases. If Mr. Blackett likes, I could easily find a nice little speech for to-night by looking over uncle's papers, and after it has been read, we could have it printed and sent round by the milkman. Of course the great thing iv this speech would be a conglomerate of promises of the highest perfection, and a frank and manly assertion to build the two railways, even if it cost a thousand pounds. Stinginess on account of a few shillings in this case would be foolish, as well as a dry explanation how to build the railways, and where to get the most " tin" from. These little technical questions can easily be considered afterwards. Above all things, one must not give our local poet the chance to sing, a la Goldsmith — Too deep for his hearers, he went on refining. And thought of convincing, while they thought but of dining. I am, &c, Uncle's Nephew. Nelson, February 25.