The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1880.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 6072, 16 September 1880, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1880.

The result of the inquest at Featherston on Monday clearly proves that wind was the primary cause of the accident to the railway train on Saturday, and, it also fairly showed that the traffic over Eimutaka is conducted with reasonable precaution. The railway authorities are absolved from blame in connection with the accident. It arose out of very exceptional circumstances, and although it has exposed one or two weak points, yet it would be unjust to saddle the department with blame for not exercising foresight akin to the preternatural. But according to the District Bailway Manager’s own admission, trains working the section between Cross’s Creek and the Summit would be safer if conducted by two engines instead of one. We agree with him in this, but do not share bis apprehension of the carriages “buckling” because they might be between two engines. The train moves at very slow* pace on the steep section, ; not move than four miles an hour, and can be brought to a standstill in a few seconds. Hence the danger of buckling is far removed. As for the wind sheds proposed, those people who are familiar with the locality will recognise the nest to impracticability of erecting them excepting at a cost that we should think could be expended to better purpose, for safety’s, sake, in other directions. W© indicated one or two in yesterday’s issue, and experts no doubt could improve upon, and add to, our suggestions. Upon one point the district manager was very decided. He shares iu the general opinion of greater danger to trains on this side the Summit, than on the other and far steeper side, and even admitted that the trains were deficient in brakeing power, This, of course, is something that must bp remedied at once, and we presume will be, the matter, as Mr. Ashcbofv said, being “ under consideration. Amongst other weaknesses disclosed by the inquest was the inefficiency of the telegraph service between the Summit aud Kaitoko, The Summit is connected with Cross’s Greet and Featherston by what is termed. an ABO line —that is signals or messages are transmitted by means of an alphabetical instrument that a boy might work after tea minutes practice. But between the Summit and Kaitoko there is no communication oavp by way of Featherston- the latter place ia connected with Kaitoko by the regular telegraph system. Now, we are not at all inclined to censure the telegraph department for not connecting the two places, because, so far as ordinary telegraphic requirements are concerned, there ia little or no necessity for a wire there. But wo do think the Eailway Department is to be blamed for not having insisted upon the erection of a wire—to be worked by an ABC instrument —along such a dangerous section as that between the Summit and Kaitoko. Contingencies, and remote ones too, ought to have received the fullest consideration—amongst them being thp possibility of accident. A very soriou.B contingency arose the other day when the special train with the medical men and others, en route for the scene of the accident, was detained at Kaitoke in absolute ignorance of the movements of the train expected from the Summit, whilst the latter, after detention with wounded people in the carriages, left the Summit in blissful uncertainty as to whether the “ special ” might not be encountered on the way. Such a state of affairs as this’ cannot he tolerated. There should be no such condition as that of uncertainty as to the movements of trains between railway stations, aud that the ten or twelve miles of incline plane with twists in it, between Kaitoke and the Summit has been unguarded so long, is anything but creditable to railway management. We hope that the suggestions of the jury, submitted in the first rider to their verdict, will receive immediate effect. The sad tragedy of Saturday last closed with the inquest. The experience it has supplied, though dearly bought, will not, we are sure, bp without effect in greatly_ lessening the risks of railway travelling on the Eimutaka section —even to reducing danger to a minimum.

Rumors pf gold discoveries in this colony are still rife, bub, so far, nothing tangible has come of them. Still, we live in hope, not doubting that the event itself will follow the shadow in due order. We did hope that something would have come of the redoubtable Mr. Moore’s repeated discoveries, but he, it seems, Ims retired into obscurity again; or cls«, disappointed at not having, secured the Government grant ho so coveted, has “ struck in ” to tho richest of—according to his showing—many finds, and >S rapidly

making his pile at the expense of an ungrateful country. Wo sincerely hope it h so, for in that case he is certain to be found out sooner or later, and will then really achieve the reputation of a successful prospector, to the very great benefit of the revenue. There is nothing that the colony so faints for at' the present time as a bona fide gold discovery—a counter attraction to that one in New South Wales that has tapped the very life blood of New Zealand. We cannot shut our eyes to the seriousness of the position. From all parts comes reports of an alarming exodus. Hero in Wellington the drain ia continuous, and if not checked will leave fho labor market ruinously bare. If reports are to be credited, the new Temora goldfield is indeed attractive, but then wo would submit that, attractive though it may be, it is certain to be overdone, whilst, as has ever been the case with gold digging, the majority of miners will barely earn average wages; only the few will secure prizes, and many will turn up blanks. Still, the effect upon this colony will be none the loss hurtful, and the only remedy is a counter irritant. Like euros like, and a new goldfield in the Waikato, Wanganui, or Marlborough districts would provide just what is needed. The outflow of population would be first checked, and then the tide would turn iii our favor. It is rather unfortunate, though, that emigration is sotting out at the near approach of the busy season. Shearing-will commence directly, and, operating -upon the millions of sheep in the colony, means the ciroulation of £200,000 or £300,000 sterling. Commenting upon the rush to the Temora goldfield, and the scarcity of labor caused thereby in many pastoral districts, a writer in the Sydney Mail tersely and truly states the case by pointing but that there were 30,000,000 of sheep to shear, which, at £1 per 100, represented £400,000 in shearers wages. Now, £400,000 was about tho value of 100,000ozs. of gold, and he drily observed .that, with the great scarcity of wafer and patchy character of tho Reid to Contend against, it would be a long time before Temora produced so much as that. He was right too. The shearer’s wage is a certainty, whilst that of the goldminer is at the extreme of uncertainty. And the rule applies to this colony. In a week; or two agricultural and pastoral labor will be coming into request, aud the steady wage may be depended upon. At the same time wo shall bo thankful it those permanent industries are supplemented by a substantial goldfield, for, not only;Would it prove counter attractive to goldfinds over the sea, but would give a fillip to producing of another kind. A multitude of gold miners must be fed and clothed, and what local industries are established in the colony would experience to the full the beneficial effects of. the demand upon them. As we implied before, probabilities are in favor of something of the kind happening—prospecting ia not defunct, and of the many who are on the trail, some can hardly fail in following it to profitable purpose. Certain it ia that New Zealand’s turn will come again sooner or later. Fortune never failed the colony in the hour of need. As it has been, so will it be again, with, let us hope, a clear recognition of past mistakes, and determination and ability to turn prosperity to permanent account.