THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out Faciam." WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1862.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 58, 22 January 1862, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out Faciam." WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1862.

It will be seen by a reference to the letter of our Melbourne correspondent, which appears elsewhere, that the report of war having been declared between Kn^land and the Northern States of America caused considerable excitement, and some apprehension in Melbourne. Immediately on the receipt of this letter, and in time to be forwarded by the intercolonial mail steamer yesterday, we published an extraordinary slip containing that portion of-the letter having reference to this exciting topic, together with some remarks of our own upon the special interest of New Zealand in regard to the relations between England and America. Our correspondent's letter will be found entire elsewhere, and as the "extraordinary" will only have been seen by a few of our town-subscribers, and the subject is one of paramount and absorbing interest, we make no apology fer reproducing the remarks which accompanied the extract.

* *• * * We have no desire to excite unnecessary alarm, but it is not to be overlooked that at the very first intimation of war, it is quite likely, indeed, probable, that a privateering expedition would be fitted out from California to the Australian waters, to intercept some of the ships returning with gold to Europe, and to pay a visit to the ports whence that gold ia shipped. New 1 Zealand would be in the'route, and they would probably call in, even if they had not heard oftheOtago gold-fields, for coal, supposing them to be steamers, or to refit. It is quite likely that the fame of the Otngo fields would already have reached them before leaving California, and that they would choose Dunedin as a place of call. Supposing any notice were received of their coming means for defence could easily be adopted, as only boats could come up from the port, and these could be surrounded the whole distance by rifles along both shores of the bay. It is tovMU^jJKMflk^yof some precautions

niitting that the contingency is remote these should.be taken.

The first that suggests itself is to keep up constant communication along the coast line between the various Provinces. At present there is only one communication a month between Auckland and Otago. What commercial policy has not dictated, surely the public safety will. We do not see how Sir George Grey could reconcile it to himself under the circumstances to allow so important a portion of the colony under his charge as the Southern Provinces to continue in such unfrequent communication with the seat of GovernmentWhat we would advise is the immediate chartering of two of the fastest merchant steamers to be procured, to run up and down the coast weekly. The City of Hobart and Lady Bird will be here in two or three days : perhaps Mr. Reader Wood will feel himself justified in taking the necessary steps.

Another precaution should be the posting of look-outs along the line of coast, and the arrangement of signals between Australia and ISFew Zealand. All vessels between the Ports of the several Colonies could be instructed to burn certain lights on approaching their destination. We do not know how it is with some of the other Ports, but vessels coming from the South can be seen at Dunedin several hours before they get to the Heads. Sir George Grey might also be requested to send down Rifles and ammunition to the Southern Provinces, —there are plenty of men to be found who know how to use them. The sol_ diers also might be instructed to abandon their dolce far niente propensities and be placed under stricter discipline. At present they roam about without anything to do.

Again we may say that we do not wish it to be understood there is any absolute cause for alarm, but there are certaiuly sufficient grounds to recommend the adoption of precautionary measures.