THE SUPERINTENDENT'S VISIT TO WELLINGTON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 971, 30 March 1870, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE SUPERINTENDENT'S VISIT TO WELLINGTON.

We have before us the account given by his Honor the Superintendent of the result of his visit to Wellington, and are gratified to find that in one of the objects of his journey he has been successful, that is, in obtaining the sum of £500 out of the £30,000 voted for road making iv the Northern Island. It will be recollected that frequent visits were made to Wellington by a late Superintendent, to urge on a reluctant Ministry the wants of the Province, but unfortunately they were so barren of results that the Council became extremely impatient of them. The same impatience was exhibited on this last occasion, which necessitated, we suppose, his Honor's apology to the Council. This assistance is certainly an instance of the good will of the present Ministry to this Province — if one was still wanting, when they considerately place in the hands of the local authorities for the construction of important public works, money which the Assembly voted to be expended under tho control of the Colonial Government. The Premier evidently has thorough confidence in his Honor's administration, being convinced, we suppose, from former practical experience that the utmost economy and the soundest judgment will be displayed in the expenditure of the money on works which the public most urgently require. We have no doubt that this is but the precursor of a large share of discretionary power which the Ministry of the day will place in the hands of his Honor in connection with the construction of roads in this Province. We have not been informed as to the nature of the road work upon which this money is to be expended, or the special district or districts "in which the work is to be carried on ; or whether it is left entirely to the discretion of his Honor, or shackled with conditions by the Premier. If the object is to open the mountain road, there cannot be two opinions as to the most eligible place at which to commence operations — and that is from thcManutahi village; of course first opening out the road to the Devon line. All the rivers between the town and that place are bridged ; and the alternative is offered of Waitara or New Plymouth as the ultimate terminus. It would open up by the easiest route a large tract of level aud fertile country within an easy distance of the Waitara ; a district that will attract settlers if it is only rendered accessible and made knowu ; and will also render of some value the landed estate of the Colonial Government-V-the donors of the £500. These reasons, we think, cannot be denied, and are strongly in favour of that route, if it is given on condition of opening up the entrance to the mountain road. If, on the contrary, it is left to the discretionary power of his Honor, we think that at the present time it could be more beneficially expended in opening up the back bush roads where there are actual settlers, or persons trying to settle, such as the Upper Waiwakaiho and Tarurutangi blocks, — that is, by assisting in throwing a chain wide of forest, and clearing a twenty feet track, thus giving to those who are desirous of setllmo; on their land the nccessavv means of access to it. Where no settlement is going on, or likely to go on, it would be only throwing money away to make unused roads ; aud the best test that can be applied is to offer to help those who are willing to help themselves; it is an ' unfailing one for detecting good intentions and integrity of purpose. With regard to the opening up of the coast road, which his Honor states he strongly urged on the Government, we think that the Government had, before his Honor's departure, shown that they were not inclined to neglect that important matter, as the greater p n-tion of the road from Opunake + o Waingongoro was completed, and Cobb's coaches running; from Wanganui to Fatea. The completion of the line from Opunake to Sloney River is not delayed through any inaction on the part of the Colonial Government, but because our irrepressible coloured brother Hops ihe way, being perplexed and ill at ease because of the fast and furious way (as he thinks) the Government urge on the inevitable road, which he anticipates will deluge aud overwhelm him with a torrent of pakeha, — new faugled notions to worry his life put. We regret that his Honor

has not furnished the Council with a copy of the' report he made on the Iron Sand Lease Ordinance, which he states did ample justice to Dr. Samuel, Captuln Morsheaj, and the Iron Sand Company. It must be a document of most transcendent ability if it does ample justice, and still satisfies all the parties named. There is a time coming, we arc told, when the lion shall lie down with the lamb without detriment to the personal comfort of that interesting emblem of innocence. But we fear that the period has not yet arrived when even the most faithful and painstaking mesmerist can accomplish so difficult a task. With regard to the balance of the .€50,000 loan, we are not so

sanguineas his Honor isthatweshall obtain any portion of it ; yet we believe with him that the Government will give it due attention at the proper time. There is a host of small matters which we have not referred to, for the simple reason that there is nothing tangible in them.

Pledges, hopes, bright futures, ample justice to Militia and Volunteers, and the anticipations of delighted gentlemen from Australia, move us not. We have winnowed his Honor's narrative, and presented to the public the golden grain, with some advice suited to the occasion. What matters it to us that it was accompanied with the indispensable chaff '( Let us take what is so freely given, and rest, and be thankful.