The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 4470, 12 October 1883, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1883. ♦ There is a great desire on tho part of the people of this district to be connected by railway with the City of Auckland, and this desire is recipro catetl by the Auckland people. When authority was given the Government to raise lour millions at tho rate of one million a year, for the purpose of railway construction, ono million of this money was set aside by special Act I

for the construction of a line of railway from Auckland south to connect with the main line between New Plymouth aud Wellington. When the House mot this year the promised surveys were only iv progress, and far from complete ; consequently, nothing could be done to decide the merits of the rival routes aud appropriate money for construction. Before next session, however, the aspect will be changed, if the Government does its duty by pushing on the surveys to a speedy conclusion during the summer weather. On this side there appears to be a lull ; but on the middle route no fears of native opposition appear hitherto to have retarded the exploration. But now the natives have given a very emphatic warning to Mr. Rochfort that he must proceed no further in that direction, and the warning has been accepted as sufficient, by his prudently retiring to communicate with head-quarters. This route, called the direct route from Wellington to Auckland, appears to be subject to the great misfortune that it cannot go direct, but will in spite of man or fate diverge with alarming perversity into the Taranaki district, and is in fact travelling in a circle, when a short direct cut from the main line in Taranaki would effect the same object in half the time and at half the expense. So far as the surveys have already gone the Stratford route has practically left the Wanganui route out in the cold. But we will not enter further into the merits of these two routes now but leave our remarks till the surveyors' work is finally concluded and the reports seat in. What we wish to impress on the Government is that the work dropped by Mr. Hursthouse should again be taken up at once now the weather is favourable, and pushed on with vigor, so that the best line on its merits may be secured. The interests ol this district are identical with those of Auckland, and therefore with the colony. We mint have communication by rail with Auckland. The Legislature has practically admitted that, and the problem is how to do it with the least possible cost and most benefit to the colony generally. One object should be kept in view in the interests of the colony. It is desirable that the land the line penetrates should bo fit for settlement, and during tho progress of settlement, which is slow in bush lands, that mineral traffic should if possible be secured. The line to afford the greatest benefit must tap the coal fields and limestone, aud the lioasstone formation. Coal is a daily household want. Cheap coal develops new industries much more rapidly than bonuses. Cheap traffic will give cheap coal, with advantage to the consumer and benefit to the railway fund. The want of a cheap mineral is much felt in this district. Cheap lime would do much to develop agriculture, horticulture, and grazing. It is not so much the direct value of the lime itself — though it is to a certain extent valuable — but it is its influence on the inert material of the soil, which it fits by its caustic action in making suitable as plant food, and by its neutralising the injurious acids in the soil. It is therelore of the first importance that these two minerals, which exist in the Mokau District in abundance, should be within easy distance from the line of railway. It is possible that on close examination both coal and lime deposits of great extent will be foundintheTaranakiDistrict. If this is so, so much easier will be the task of the explorer on whom will devolve the work of finding a suitable route. Not a day should be lost in selecting a suitable officer and instructing him to proceed with the work. There is no native difficulty in the way of the exploration of the Ngatimaniapoto country. Not again will volleys be fired to warn off surveyors : on the contrary they are really anxious that the railway should proceed through their territory, and would consider it a breach of faith if it was diverted elsewhere. These people — formerly our most embittered foes — have so been influenced by the progress of events that they aro now in the van of native progressionists, and it would indeed be a pity if through unnecessary delays on the part of the Government their ardour should be damped. The Government should therefore strike while the iron is hot, and the example thus offered by the Ngatimaniapotos working in harmony with their white co-colonists iv developing by railway their district, and enhancing the productive power of the land will have a marked effect on other natives of less intelligence who now show a decidedly hostile attitude. Up to this date the Government may be excused for having nothing to show of a decisive character in respect to surveys, as the season has not been conducive tobush exploration, but after this no excuse aan be accepted for delaying a work which in the true iutcrest of all ought to be pushed on with the utmost speed consistent with accuracy of information.

A telegram states that tho notices with regard to the sale oE Kawhia Township will bo issued in a few days. The s.s. Oreti, loaded with coal for tho breakwater, is bar bound at Greymouth. She will probably leave to-night. The Rev. C. Worboys, of the Willowstrcot Methodist Church, London, is about to emigrate to New Zealand. Captain Edwin telegraphed at 12.38 today -" Bad weather between south and west, and north-west. Glass further rise, and sea heavy." The bad htato of the Manukau bar will prevent tho h.s. Douglas leaving to-day ; she will consequently not leave Waitara before Monday, as advertised. Shaw and Savill's lino of direct steamers to New Zealand will not carry saloon passengers, only second and third, who aro to bo mado exceptionally comfortable. A. Boswell was again called upon this morning, to surrender to his bail on a charge of larceny of a cheque. The case was formally called, and, on the application of Mr. Samuel, a further remand was granted until Friday next. Alfred Levy, Esq., J.P., is oxpected to bo presont at Iho Templars' Anniversary Soiree this evening, and to deliver an address. Mr. Levy 13 Past District Chief Ruler of tho New Zealand Central District of tho Rechabite Order, and is well-known as an earnest temperance worlcor. Ho will arrivo by train at G. 55 to-night.