STEAM COMMUNICATION.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume X, Issue 502, 18 October 1851, Page 135

STEAM COMMUNICATION.

Sir — Allow me to congratulate you, the inhabitants of Nelson, and New Zealand generally, on the very important meeting of yesterday, which, to every properly regulated mind, must have been very gratifying indeed. The spirit which prevailed speaks volumes for what may yet be accomplished by combination ; no petty jealousy appeared to animate the feelings of any one, but all seemed agreed as to the propriety and necessity of establishing Steam Communication in the colony, and instead of confining it to thia settlement, which appeared to be the view of some, our worthy friend, Mr. Wrey, was for us grasping at once the great globe itself, which, however desirable it may be, sanguine as I am of success, I fear we must leave to "be accomplished by a combination of companies, which I have no doubt we shall soon be able to accomplish. The remarks made by Mr. Saxton are particularly applicable regarding communication with India, and this I have no doubt will soon be within our reach, for, with our fine climate, who can estimate the great good that may be accomplished by a direct communication with India, which may be said to be the grave of Europeans, [or the want of a Montpelier within their reach ? It would be almost impossible that so great a change should not be looked upon by some as likely to injure their vested rights, but I can assure those who may have any hankering after monopoly, which I look upon as having received a death-blow, that they take a very narrow view of matters indeed. For upwards of twenty years I have been observing the progress of communication, and the march of intellect, and have been engaged so intimately with roads, railways, and steamboats, that I can assure those who take such a narrow view, that instead of being injured, they will ultimately be benefitted. I could enumerate various instances where compensation was demanded and obtained by parties at borne, who afterwards frankly admitted they were benefitted. What a noise did our canal companies and coach proprietors get up that they would be ruined by railways ; whereas, it is a notorious fact, that many canals were benefitted, and horses have been more in demand as railways were established. Reasoning from these facts, which I have not only seen, but been frequently engaged in adjusting such claims, I can assure the merchants and shippers that instead of mourning for the death of their beloved friend, monopoly, they ought to rejoice, and look forward to the day when these islands may become what they have often been misrepresented to be, a "perfect paradise." With these objects in view, and the facilities for communication that will be given to all classes of society, we may truly congratulate ourselves in being permitted to be in any degree instrumental in doing any thing to promote its pros* perity, which all can do, provided they are willing to divest themselves of narrow and selfish views, which isolation from the world is bo apt to produce. I trust you will excuse these remarks, which are from one who for forty years has mixed in all classes of society, from the prince to the peasant, and who has seen many of the ups and downs of life ; who has travelled Britain, from Orkney to Land's End, over and over again, and seen a great portion of these islands, and having formed an opinion of their capabilities, which have been often overrated as well as underrated, has no hesitation in pronouncing the meeting of last night as calculated to develope the resources and capabilities of New Zealand more than any thing that could have occurred. It is a beginning which must lead to great results, and which must have been gratifying to you who have laboured so zealously and so long in the cause, as well as it was to Yours, &c, Oct. 16. Philanthropui.

Notice to a Thief. — The following advertisement lately appeared in a Montreal paper :—": — " The person who, by a pardonable absence of mind, took a new light-coloured silk velvet trimmed macintosh from the second fiat of the Ottawa Hotel, gis informed, that by calling at the same place he can have a very good cape, which belongs j to the coat, and is now of no use to the owner." The husband of a beautiful wife, upon returning home, was met by oce of his offspring, all smiles, clapping his hands, an.l saying — •' Pa, Mr. j B has been here — he's such a nice man — he kissed us all round, and mother too !" ■ Domestic Consolation. — A "guide man" in Driffield, alter having spent a year or two in the married state, had the misfortune the other day, to lose his wife. No sooner was he bereft of the partner of his cares than he consoled himself with a review of his worldly circumstances. •' I hail," said he, " but a shilling iv my pocket when I was marrred, and now that may wite is dead I have inepence, so that I have only lost threepence."