The Otago Witness.

Otago Witness, Issue 1205, 2 January 1875, Page 13

The Otago Witness.

DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, JAN. 2.

We hope that the excellent example of the promoters of the Peninsula and Anderson's Bay Railway will have many followers in Otago. We have always been among those who advocated an individuality of action in such matters, which we take leave to think is akin to the nature of our people. Railway communication is a thing whioh requires such very close personal attention, such unremitting care in detail, that it is peculiarly suited for private and not public control. This is not saying that, under the circumstances of a new Colony, it is not perfectly legitimate, and indeed almost necessary, for a Government to initiate railway works. This may be quite true, and yet it may be equally true that the management of a railway is not a proper function of a Government.

The history of the Porb Chalmers me presents, we believe, a curioud illustration of the difference of the two managements, While Messrs Proudfoot and Oliver had that line in their own hands, they looked after their business, forced it here and worked it there, got hold of this consignment and saw the agents of that ship. They, in a word, pushed their business like any other man. It was a happy day for the owners of lighters when Government took over the line. We are not complaining of their management ; but it is a fact that the revenue ceased to 'grow then in its former proportion, and that the expenses took up the habit. It would be no bad test of the proper functions of Government to ask of each work it is proposed to hand over to the State, will it require much pushing 1 is it capable of being worked up 1 will it depend for its success upon the fashion in which it is conducted? We are quite contented that the State should, under the circumstances of Otago, have undertaken the main trunk lines, and even a few of the longer light lines, but this does not spoil our satisfaction at seeing a beginning made by way of supplement to these trunks through private energy and enterprise.

Those who remember the futile, crude, and ineffectual efforts that were made five or six years ago to start a railway to Balclutha, well know that the dawn of a more prosperous era is owing almost entirely to the Public

Works Policy, which lias rendered it possible for a private company to form a light railway to the Peninsula, with every hope and prospect of a profitable return for their outlay. The gentlemen who have boldly come forward to the work are entitled to the thanks of the whole community, not only for the material gain of another line, but for the moral gain, the enormous advantage of the example they have set to others. Tkere are many districts in which we have reason to believe that the example so well set will be speedily followed. Both Kaitangata and Tokomairiro are proposing to develope their mineral resources by their own unaided enterprise. Is there any reason why the vast forests lying to the south and west of the Province should not be tapped by a branch line 1 The timber supply is almost inexhaustible, and the demand growing every day. We do not know thab very much can be done on the Goldfields in this way, because their commodity is one of the leasb bulk in proportion to its value of any in the world. The agricultural and forest regions present, however, a field for enterprise of this character, of which we trust advantage will be taken.

The material gain of the addition of another line to our resources is valuless by comparison to the moral gain of encouraging others to help themselves. Nothing could be a better answer than this to those who thought that the enterprise of the country was being damped, and its virile force emasoulated by over government. The line to the Peninsula is a peculiarly happy one with -which to begin the movement, because there can be no doubt; that it will be a particularly successful one. When the Superintendent turned tbe first sod of the line, he did much more than initiate a useful local work. He effectually gave a contradiction to those who think with Mr Charles Fisllowes, that we have little faifch in our own country. To try to •make out that the raising and expenditure of the public loan is a swindle, when local men are prepared to invest their money, and, indeed, stake their fortune, on the prosperity of the Colony, is to dub the man who makes the essay — a fool.

We hope that others outside our circle here will take note of the conclusive evidence afforded by this adventure. That in O a 50, at least, the settlers have given the last great proof which men can give of their faith in the stability of our settlement.

It would be invidious to name a few where very many are concerned. Messrs Pboudfoot, Larnach, and some six or seven others, de* serve every credit for the zeal, ability, and determination which they have shown in carrying matters through. Politicians get testimonials, and officeseekers get billets ; a no less real reward, though it be less tangible, awaits those who are good citizens, good settlers, in the thanks and admiration of their fellows. In after years the adventurers on this new field will be remembered as those first on the field are still remembered at home, as being real benefactors of this Colony v