The Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 470, 31 October 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1877.

We learn that ib is the intention of the Government to push v : gorously the completion of the line between ami Dunecliu, and that we may exp--ct to have trams running through about April, IS7S. So 'ar as passenger traffic between Dunedin and Oamaru is concerned, we fail to see that railway communication with Dunedin will be productive of any great bent-fit. The distance by land is nearly double that by water, and it will be almost impossible, considering the nature of the road to be travelled, for the railway to compete in speed with such a steamer as the "Waitaki ; and for comfort—although there are some who are so troubled with sea-sickness that they would prefer anything to even the placid ocean—the majority of the travelling public will always have a preference for the sea journey. In othsr important respects, however, direct communication by rail -with Dunedin will be beneficial to the country which the line will traverse. An attempt is to be made to increase the speed of travelling, which, it is now discovered, is far too slow to make the railway a popular means of locomotion ; but although we do not profess a knowledge of railway engineering, it seems to us that the Government has d scovered too late that the pre ent speed of travelling is far too slow in this go-a head age. In our opinion, the line as now constructed, will never be lit for large powerful locomotives, which would have to be brought into requisition in order to increa-e the jwesent rate of travelling. The gauge is narrow, ilia gradients heavy, the cirves acute, and the general construction of the Jine, ulrch is dignified with the tit'e of a main tru:.k railway, slip-shod and toy ike. It anv time is to be saved on the journey from I >un :oin to Christchurch, it must be done between (Jhr-i t hurcli and Oamaui, where tiio lina trawls over kval C'lmtry; for, between Oamaru and I'unedin, from the character of the line, no time can be saved without g-eat wear and tear and risk. It is different in the case of branch lines. That from Oamaru to Awamoko, iu the construction of which only 2S b rails were used is wearing well, m duly because of the lightness of the engine running on that line. Not so with the Oam ru and lloeraki section, the rails of which are 40!bs. In some p'aces on ibis l.ne < viee> of weir and tor.r are p ainiy perceptible ; ami the conclusion is that the pr sent sp-ed of travelling is qut-: high enough for the character of the one, althoug'i iar .00 slow, even now, to satisfy tlu re-purem nrs or the traffic. '1 he main trunk line should, have been'constructed on principle- ensu in •; permanency, not as though intends d 10 list fora fi-wyeirs only- The policy a 1. jj e i may lessen the first outlav ; bite it means ineili ci-ncy. constant patch ng up, and, at no distant dste. the replacing of the pieseot line by something more substantial a:id u• etui.

At a meeting of the Headquarter's Range Commir.iee, held latt eveiim.', it was ue cided that the flagstaff should be removed from its pivsent position to one where is can be seen from all points, and that a flag should be purchased. W hen Lieutenant Greenfield, wlio wa< desired to see the wish of the Committee carried into effect, reports th.it th *e changes have been made, tiring at the butts will be resumed. The shearing season has opened this year at the Totara station, at I 6's Sd. per hundred. 1 his was about the lowest lvteru.ing last season. A Collector will be appointed at a special meeting of the Hospital Committee to be held on Monday next at 5 p. m. The North Otago Benevolent Society Committee will meet on Monday next at 7 p.m. at the office of the secretary. .business —To receive and consider the draft annual report. A correspondent writes a,* follows : —A short time ago our railway employes wished to acquire that hor'ible nuisance, a brass band, and to that end a concert was given. The Duneiun people rather hold over us in doing these things; for tiiey connect the Indian famine with their music, and go in for au entertainment which is to do good to bith. Similia similibus curantur must be the motto of the Lunetiin railway people ; but whether the Indian famine wiil cure the brass band lunatic-, or whether the diucet tones of the latter will solace the empty stomachs of the former and reconcile th.mi to death, is oue of those things "'no fellah can understand.'' Anti-jßlow. [Our correspondent " hath not music in his soul/'—Ed. K M.]

We are informed tint Major Steward, acting in behalf of the Volunteers, and the directors of the Caledonian Society, have ordered 20 suits of new uniform for the Caledonian Band from Messrs. Hood and Shennan. are ti> be ready by the 9th "November, and will, no doubt, enable the bandsmen to make a show worthy of their calling. Thompson's Diorama of the American War was exhibited for the last timo yesterday evening. There was a good a f tendance. The company left by the "Waitaki this morning for Dunedin. Mr. Leary, in response to a requisition from a l-irge number of the ratepayers of Dunedin, has eons nted to allow himself to be nominated f"f re-election to the office of Mayor of Dunedin, which he lately resigned. He will be opposed by Mr. "Woodlands, and, perhaps other-?.