The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1876.

Southland Times, Issue 2052, 15 January 1875, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1876.

Bt the Margaret Galbraith, which reached Port Chalmers from London od Saturday, 9th January, 136 immigrants, equal to 120 statute adults, have arrived in the Province, and of this number 100 are nominated for Oaraaru and Invercargill, chiefly for the latter port. The Margaret Galbraith is one of Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co. 'a regular line of packets to New Zealand, one of which, according to Messrs Patrick Hendeeson and Co.'s own advertisement in the home papers, " sails for Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, about once a month, under contract with the agents of the Provincial Government," free and assisted passages being granted to emigrants on application to the said agents. This advertisement of Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co. is a sufficient answer to those who pretend that the Provincial Government has nothing to do with the special destination of immigrant ships. " Dunedin, Otago, under contract with the agents of tbe Provincial Government," is surely a plain enough indication of the destination of these vessels, and we need not add that there is not a solitary word about any of them ever sailing for the Bluff, or even making it an advertised port of call. Direct immigration to the Bluff is no part of the policy of the Dunedio Government ; but

it is useless for them, or for their advocates, to plead that they have not the meaus of carrying out. such immigration.. The will alone is wanting. Had it been otherwise, there would have been at least, some recognition of the Bluff iiieuch an, arrangement as that made with Messrs:P>teick:Jo[enisEßßon and Co. M°^ l?nj? •^bis state of thing a is to lasit depends 1 very much oil'- the people of the Southlaud district themselves. No Government can long afford to ignore a' ; general public demand for the concession of a jusfc claim ; and it appears now pretty evident that, after much longsuffering, the community has at leugth made up its mind to assert its rights in ■ the matter. The cordial response made by the .Road Boards of the Makarewa, Invercargill, and Aparima Districts to the invitation of the Railway and Immigration Committee to co operate with that body in obtaining, if possible, direct immigration to the Bluff, is an unmistakable indication of the direction in which the tide of public opinion is setting. To judge from appearances, the Executive will act prudently if they consider the matter, and take some definite action towards meeting the just demands of the district for direct immigration before the Provincial Council meets.