THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1864.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22630, 23 July 1935, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1864.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO.

The meeting of the promoters of the Water Company was a great success. Considering that it was held during the busiest part of the day, it was more numerously and influentially attended than one had the right to expect, and throughout the proceedings there was a spirit of unanimity displayed that speaks volumes for the confidence felt in the prospects of the Company. How is it then, one naturally asks, that the share list is not sufficiently filled ? Had there been any doubt expressed at the meeting as to the prudence of the proposed scheme, or as to the practicability of putting it into effect, the want of support could easily have been comprehended. But belief in the soundness of the scheme of the company seems difficult to reconcile with that want of hearty co-operation, which was in reality the cause of the meeting. An explanation is perhaps principally to be found in the unhappy affairs of the Gas Company. A vision of the fair promise held forth by that undertaking at starting contrasted with the wretched result which mismanagement has produced has no doubt startled many people from investing in the Water Company. There is a tendency in the human mind towards belief in the doctrine, “ one sad losel soils a name for aye.” A single instance of non-suecess often does more to shake confidence than a dozen examples of an opposite nature are able to repair. . , .

The Commissioners nominated by the Governor in accordance with the resolutions of the General Assembly to select

" somewhere in Cook’s Straits ” a site for the new seat of Government will probably soon commence their labors. % The impending inquiry has again roused the feelings of jealousy which the contemplated removal of the Capital called forth when the resolutions of the Assembly were passed. Naturally the people and Press of Auckland are very sore on the subject, and stigmatise the Commission in no unmeasured terms. On the other hand the Wellingtonians are jubilant, and appear to have fully made up their minds that their city must Be the chosen locale. Nelson and Picton, on the strength of being “somewhere in Cook’s Straits,” find no lack of arguments to prove that they are respectively (he most suitable sites for the Capital of the Colony. The sudden importance given to the Province of Marlborough by the recent gold discoveries has added a good deal to the confidence of the inhabitants, and they firmly believe that Pictou will become the seat of Government. The Nelsonians base their hopes on the natural advantages of their city, its delicious climate, peaceful waters, and the peaceable, easy-going character of its community. The claims of the three Cook’s Straits ports are pretty evenly balanced. If Wellington is a little the most central, it has the disadvantages of earthquakes and high winds, of which failings the Auckland folks endeavour to make the most. To place the seat of Government at Wellington where so many physical convulsions take place every year is, according to iour Auckland contemporaries, a step fraught with the utmost danger to the Colony. . . .

Princes street has been covered within the last few days by a substantial coating of metal, and the worst ruts have been filled up. Whether this has been done by the Town Board or the Government we are not aware. . . .

We observe that the authorities at Auckland purpose changing _ the name of the capital of Maoridom from Xgaruawahia to Queenstown, and under the latter designation a large number of allotments are being at once disposed of. Surely if it be necessary to adopt another name" than the Maori name it would be possible to choose some other than Queenstown, under which designation there is already a flourishing tqwn in Otago. The Provincial Government should represent the inconvenience that is likely to arise in consequence. In the course of time Queenstown. New Zealand, will become a common direction both to the gold fields town of Otago and the Waikato one of Auckland. Delays and inconveniences will bo the consequence. The English language is not so poor as to make it necessary to give the same name to more than one town in a colony.

The new organ for St. Paul’s Church has arrived in the Warwickshire, and will be erected as soon as possible. From all accounts there is every reason to believe that the instrument is a very perfect one, reflecting the highest credit on its constructors, Messrs Telford and Son, of Dublin.