The Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1878.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 536, 19 January 1878, Page 2

The Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1878.

With all possible speed the section of the main trunk line of railway between Dnnedin and Blueskin was opened. Although this was in a measure the result of agitation on the part of the commercial interest of the metropolis of this Provincial District, yet the well-being of the Waitati settlers demanded that they should pos- ' sess the advantages derivable from connection by rail with a port without unnecessary delay. No doubt it was foreseen by those in authority in such matters that as the section we have referred to was ready for traffic, it was just as well that it should be utilized ; indeed, that positive advantage would .accrue to both settlers and the railway department by opening this and other sections of the main trunk line in sections as completed. The action of the Government in opening the Dunedin-Blueskin line was, for the foregoing reasons, generally applauded; and it was supposed that the intention was to follow the same plan at both ends of the Dnnedin-Oamaru line. We, in common with others, however, seem to have been labouring under a mistake in regard to this. The Moeraki-Palmerston section is completed with the exception of ballasting, and that could be finished by the end of next month. Bnt it seems to be the intention of those who Imve the supervision of railway matters to "ive the contractor of this section of the line a spr-'l, and the loconio- ! tive that was engaged in putting the " finishing stroke" on it has been removed. We would like to hare the matter explained. Everybody now thinks that hr.d it been the section from Blueskin to Waikoualti instead of that from Mncvaki to Palmerston, it would have been opened, and the cause assigned for this opinion is that in one case the interests of Dunedia would be fostered, and in the other those of Oainarn. Apart from all commercial considerations, and putting aside the paltry spirit of rivalry and !.:t!ousy that oxbtts in the "merchant princes" of Dtmedin, increased as every additional block enhances the utility of our Breakwater, justice io the settlers along the line demands that there should be no delay in opening the line section by section, without unnecessary delay,

whether.in doing so the Port of Dunedin or that of Oamaru would be served thereby. The line .could be completed by the end of the month of February neit, and would therefore afford the farmers settled on a considerable area of country an opportunity of transporting their grain, &c. to a good market. The intention of somebody is evidently to let this section remain idle until connected with Dunedin. But as much business could be done on the Moeraki-Palmerston section of the lino from the end of next month to the date at which the line will be opened right through to Dunedin as would accrue for the remaining nine months of the year. Really the affair has the appearance of having been left to officialism such as that which would increase the rates of freight in order to make the railway pay; would send out of the Colony for Oregon pine sleepers winch are not only less durable but more expensive than those New Zealand could supply ; and would deprive colonists of the advantages which would accrue from procuring trucks and other railway material and stores in the Colony for the sake of the novelty—or something else—of sending to Great Britain for these things. It is to the interest of the farmers to i hare the main trunk line opened as soon as practicable, and in a country like this, where every other kind of prosperity hinges upon the success of the agricultural and pastoral interests, every facility should be afforded the representatives of those interests, in order to promote their prosperity. This is a matter worthy the attention of all interested. The section we have referred to will, unless influence be brought to bear, be allowed to remain unused for three or four months, until the line is opened through to Dunedin. "\\ T e contend that there is just as'much—nay, more necessity to connect Palmerston with Oamaru. than there was to connect Dunedin with Blueslcin. If pressure were brought to bear, at least we should have the satisfaction of ascertaining the reason for the extraordinary action of some person in depriving the contractor of the Moeraki-Palmerston section of the engine he was using for ballasting purposes.