THE OTAGO WITNESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 317, 26 December 1857, Page 4

THE OTAGO WITNESS.

, Dcnedin, Saturday, December 26, 1857-

Of all benefits which have- been long- expected but have never arrived, there has been none more tantalising than the establishment of stean communication. In the first prospectus of the Otago Scheme, steam communication was gravely suggested, and since that peiiod we have had numberless occasions when it was supposed the desired object was within our grasp. We even had a tantalising visit or two by the "Nelson," hut like a "Will o' the~ Wisp," as we advanced to catch the myth, it receded, yet appeared to be at n<) great distance. Let us however hope that this time we are about to have our wishes consummated. By the last advices from the home country we learn that a new company — the New Zealand and Australian Mail Steam Navigation Company — had been formed, and had entered into negociations with the Imperial Government for the conveyance of the Australian mails, and with Mr. Sewell on behalf of New Zealand for the further conveyance of the New Zealand mails to their destination. The details of this arrangement have not reached us, but we have no doubt from the very able manner in which Mr. Sewell has conducted his negociations with the Imperial Government, and brought the object of his mission to a successful issue, under circumstances of no ordinary difficulty, that he has been equally successful in his arrangement with the new company ; in fact, we are authentically informed that the negociaiions have been completed. We further learn that the steam vessels were about to proceed to their destinations immediately. As we have already remarked, the details of the arrangement are not before us, but we have every reason to believe that they will be highly satisfactory, the new company being that which made an offer to the New Zealand Government through Mr. F. Gibb, whose letter upon the subject was published in the " Otago Witness" about a year since. Mr. Gibb's suggestions then were, that two powerful steamers should be employed to run between Australia and New Zealand,, and that the maiLs so brought on should be conveyed to the various Provinces by two steamers plying upon the coast — one north and .the other south; and further, that the company contemplated working the coal fields of the colony in an efficient "manner. At the time these 'o'ffers were made,, the

New Zealand Government were partlypledged to another company, with whom negociations were pending, and we, then expressed our regret that the splendid offer made by, "Mr. Gibb could not be closed with at once, as , it was not likely that so thorough and efficient a means of steam communication could be expected from any other quarter. From the mapsof the colony which are- referred to in the communication received from the company's manager, it would appear that the working of- the coal fields of the colony still remains an important part of the plans of the company. We are delighted to find that in this matter we have been fortunate enough t"o make arrangements with a body whose views of the speculation) they have entered into embrace something; more than the immediate return of a profit to the shareholders for the capital invested, and that they are rather inclined to stake their capital upon the growing prosperity of New Zealand, to which their investment will most materially contribute. The importance of steam communication to the whole of New Zealand, but especially to this comparatively. remote Province,, cannot be over estimated ; but few of our readers who are not practically engaged in business or in the Government of the Province have any conception of the deplorable effects of the deficient means of communication. For instance, at the- Bluff a town was laid off more than a year since, not one inch of which has been sold in consequsnce of some disputed grants of land in that locality, the exact position of the land claimed being unknown. A law was passed in the last session of the General Assembly which would have met the difficulty, but in consequence of the defective means of communication with theseat of Government, some forms (mere forms) cannot be gone through to give effect to the law. We however need not multiply instances of this sort, as they,areof daily occurrence, and are continually thrusting themselves upon the attention o£ some portion of our readers. But- it visnot alone the positive evils we suffer from our defective means of communication that make us anxious to see a better state of things. The benefits which would arise to the Province were the capabilities of the country more generally known, and were the influx of people greater, are such 6hat r were we to attempt to depicturethem, we might be supposed to be indulging in a wild romance. We, however, are persuaded that there is nothing that would so rapidly develope the resources of the country, bring capital to the Province, and urge on the construction of publicworks, affording us good roads, and the conveniences and luxuries of an old country, as the establishment of a means of regular steam communication with theneighbouring Provinces of New Zealand and the Australian colonies. We aretherefore prepared to recommend to our fellow- colonists to make a great sacrifice of present means for the attainment of this desirable object. We would give almost a fabulous amount of bonus to see the thing fairly and effectually done.

The return of Christmas, so different in its appearance in this our adopted land from what we were accustomed to in our early days, is a period which will, at least to the present generation, be a mark in their 00 ward progress in life ; and although. a merry Christmas on a summer's day appears somewhat of a misapplication of terms, there is no reason why we should omit those kindly expressions of feeling to those around us which have ever been customary amongst us at this season ; and it is therefore v\ ith pleasure that we feel ourselves in a position to communicate some pleasing intelligence, and to congratulateour fellow-settlers on the prospect rwhicb it affords to them. It is not our usual! time for reviewing our onward progress,, but we may say that the past year. has not been an unproductive one. Disagreeableness we have had, but on the whole wehave advanced. The material progress of our old settlers has been satisfactory, and! we have been recently joined by others, towhom we wish equal! success in their newhomes. Our prospects are bright ; all? classes are prospering ; and we trust that should the good tidings upon which we have been cotnrneiHing realise our anticipations, ere another return of the festive season we may have a yet more numerous circle of friends to whom to . pay the compliments of the season.

We understand that the .Rev.' A. H. Wyatt,. M. A., of Clare Halli Cambridge; lias been licensed by the Bishop of Cbristichurch .to the. Incu^b'encybf.'the^ni^w^'CHuV^.of/'EbgU^. District of Waikouaiti and/GQo^ooclV />') • -

*Ti§3 " Thomas and Henry," from Melbourne Tia Twofold Bay and the Bluff, arrived in port on Wednesday last, after having landed a cargo of stock at the Bluff. The papers received by her contain no news, but from a private source •we learn that trade generally in Melbourne - was not prosperous. Under such circumstances we can understand that a few heavy arrivals might, seriously affect the markets, es^ecmlly if forced sales were resorted to—a depreciation which would be the more certain, fronvrecent high prices having caused speculators to hold too close on to the harvest. The Melbourne, like all colonial markets, is a yery fluctuating one, and we are therefore not inclined to believe that the present depression, — especially if the result of a panic — is likely materially to affect the average prices for the ensuing season. From the " Colonist" we subjoin a statement of the Melbourne markets :—: —

By advices from Melbourne under date 23rd November, received per Tluomas and Henry., we find that the fall in the price of all cereals has been considerable. Large quantities of oats had arrived from Europe and San Francisco, which were being forced at auction at what they would bring. Good samples of New Zealand oats could not realise over 6s. to 6s. 6d. In the flour market quite a panic had taken place • finest Adelaide flour in the early part of the month fell from £25 to £19 a ton, and sales had been effected as low as £17 10s. for best brands.