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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4889, 22 November 1876, Page 2

In another column will be found some important news ■by telegraph from Europe. Lord Beaconsfield has spoken on the Eastern question in a somewhat more definite manner than on previous occasions ; and the Emperor of Russia has also delivered himself with no uncertain sound. Though the statements of Premier and Potentate would seem at first widely divergent from concord, there is little reason to apprehend an unsatisfactory issue from the conference which has been agreed to at Stamboul. Without the countenance of England Turkey would be powerless, and that countenance cannot be given to her unless such guarantees as Russia asks for are entered into. The voice of public sentiment in England has been too unequivocally pronounced to admit of any faltering on the part of the Government in this matter. The integrity of Turkey may be all very well, but in the face of savage atrocities political considerations do not weigh with a civilised people. A most gratifying item of intelligence to the colonies is to be found in the steady recovery of the wool market prices, which are now equal to those of last February sales, with every prospect of increase.

There can be no doubt of the advantages offered by New Zealand to those who contemplate settlement, and perhaps no part of the colony presents such attractions as the provincial districts of Wellington. This fact is acknowledged in Australia as well as the older countries of the world. A singular instance of this is given in a private letter received from a gentleman in South Australia, who, speaking of the “New Zealand Handbook,” says :— Any additional information in your periodical, respecting new settlements, sale of Government lands, townships, &c., would be very acceptable, not only to myself, but many old friends who, like myself, hope to make New Zealand eventually their home; several now from this district, men of influence and money, are on the eve of departure for your colony.

We observe from an article in the Brighton Guardian of 30th August, which quotes from an official report, that in the city of Santiago, the capital of Chili, called the “ Paris of South America,” street tramways have been introduced with wonderful success, and already carry millions of passengers in the course of the year. Santiago is situated at the foot of the Andes, 90 miles inland, and contains 160,000 inhabitants. What perhaps strikes a stranger most next to the marvellously beautiful situation of the town, is the atmosphere of aristocratic ease and exclusiveness pervading it. Long quiet streets, private houses, palatial structures built in the Parisian fashion, their drowsiness now and then broken in upon by the clatter of a smart brougham or a wellappointed barouche, models of Chilian elegance, that might figure with' credit in the Bois do Boulogne, whilst well dressed refined looking men and women walk along the well kept pavements. All trade and shopping are confined to great central thoroughfares in this stirring, hard-working capital of , the state. The carriage licenses taken but,in 1875 show that there were altogether 1284 private carriages, with 471 public conveyances and 2750 carts and drays ; besides all these the principal streets are traversed by tramway cars, which

have already proved the greatest convenience to the people, and, as the “official report” states, “ have also proved an excellent investment to the fortunate shareholders.”