The Taranaki Herald.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 9305, 3 February 1892, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald.

PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1892. It is now close on eight years since the House of Representatives, led by the deceptive evidence of interested persons and the bias of the Public Works Department, decided to adopt the Central lino of railway which crosses the lower slopes of Ruapehu, at an elevation of 2GOO feet, in preference- to the shorter line by Stratford, whose greatest elovation above sea level is 500 ft. The people of Taranaki did their best to counteract the powerful influence in favour of the Central lino by showing that the > lino via Stratford passed through good land, fit for settlement, and that it tapped a wonderfully rich coal country, which would at once ensure a paying line, but Taranaki evidence was looked on with suspicion, and the decision was hurried on, with a rapidity that ought to have shown the impartial that the matter demanded further and more deliberate enquiry. The Auckland members of the Houso were at that time practically ; masters of the position, and could have put the matter off for a session, but ! they wero deluded bj tho promise of the Government that tho lino would be pushed through in four years, and they

and the House were captivated, and voted accordingly. Very late in the day, •when tliß loan is practically exhausted, the eyes of the Auckland representatives are opened, and now they see the error their former leaders committed. They are now evidently in earnest' that the line via Taranaki best suits the purpose of Auckland, and are glad even to obtain the fragments of the loan to open up communication by a road. The people of Taranaki have reason to be gratified at this change of front, tnough the gratification is to a certain extent alloyed with regret that the change has come so late in the day, but even in ■such a matter we can truly say that it is never too late to mend, notwithstanding that their former co-partners have secured the bulk of the assets of the late firm. The Ministerial party which has just gone over tho Taranaki line has cheerfully confirmed the evidence sup- ' plied by Taranaki in 1884 that the land is of good quality and suitable for settlement, and that it ought to have been selected as tho best route for a railway to connect Auckland with Wellington. In tho meantime the funds set apart have been to a certain extent dissipated. Bridges of a costly description have been built in the wrong places aud at levels which imply enormous subsequent expenditure to get a grade of one in fifty. A tunnel has been constructed in the wilderness at heavy cost, which will in the future be utilised as a roosting place for bats. A branch line | has been constructed from Marton which would never have been constructed were it not for the Central Line delusion, and now when a lucid interval has arrived at the end of eight years, it is found that the money is practically gone and wastefully misapplied. In these cases it is difficult to fix responsibility, for the Legislature in voting for the Central Line accepted full responsibility ; but there is one man who cannot relieve himself from a largo share of blame in inducing tho House to expend the loan on the Central route and unduly push on advauce work so as to fix it, and that is Mr Mitchelson, one of the members for Auckland. If the Auckland people really believe that the lino by Taranaki is the best, and the one best suited to benefit them and the colony, then Mr Mitchelson did not, and does not represent their views on this important question. Auckland is again master of the position. Her members can if they think fit prevent any further expenditure on the Central Line, and it will be very interesting to watch their behaviour next session. In diplomacy and political organization they are mere babe 3in the hands of their Wellington friends ; and we fear unless some sagacious person takes them in charge they will be quite as easily led astray next sossion as they were in 1884: and subsequent sessions. Tho people of Taranaki will of course give the Auckland people every assistance to open up communication by road with Auckland. We are, however, more in tho position of calm spectators of a strife between Auckland and Wellington, and it arises from the fact that this is a rich grazing district, which is being rapidly settled by small occupiers. Theso small occupiers consume a large quantity of imported goods, and export their produce to England to pay;<for these goods, and the merchants of Auckland and Wellington are eager to secure the trade. The Auckland traders find they have been outwitted by Wellington ; hence arises the present interesting position. The question i3 — What will best profit the colony in dealing with the question ? We have no doubt on the matter. The Government profess to be desirous to settle people on the land. People can only be successfully settled on the land by tho igency of good roads. Good roa-ls mean civilisation, dairy factories, and, in fact, tho profitable occupation of the Crown lands. Taranaki has abundance of good land fit for settlement; therefore the course of the Government is plain and clear. Extend the East Eoad towards Auckland, and settle people on the land as tho road progresses. That is the only profitable way of dealing with tho balance of the loan, and in doing tHi3 the people of Taranaki will give their hearty support to any party.

The Manawalu completed her loading at the breakwater at half-past 9 o'clock on Tuesday night, and shortly afterwards left for Lyttelton, She took 77 tons of butter and 3 tons of cheese. Thoae ladies and gentlemen who took part ia the late Musical Festival aro reminded of tho meeting this ( Wodnesday) evening, when tho qnestim of forming a dow society will bo considered." • Mr E. Brook will give his second organ recital at St. Mary's Church in about t.vo weeks' time, assisted by the choir and other amateurs. The ballot for land in tho Mangamingi Block, near Eltham', will be held at tho Land Board office on Thursday. There aro about 9000 acres in tho block, most of which is first-class land. Thero is good competition for the land. A cricket match betWoon tho Rahotu Club and tho Now Plymouth Town Club will be played at New Plymouth on Thursday 11th. The following will represent tho Rahotu toam : — F. Read, DesForgos, J. Rogers, E. Edmunds, A. Good, M. Alford, L. Hawley, H. Corbett, A. Wills, J. WagstafE, W. Pennington. Emergencies : B. Phillips, T. Conroy. An unusual accident happened on Tuos day morning to a girl named Sarah Riloy, daughter of Mr J. Riley, of Powderhamstrcet. Jt appears that the girl, who is about 16 years old, wont over to Mrs Lovcridgo's (a neighbor) houso ou an orrand, and while knocking at the door a dog belonging to tho liouao sprang at hor and mot his teeth in her breast. Tho animal, which is of the bulldog species, sprang direct at hor throat, but tho threw her head on one side, and thus frustrated his intention. Tho dog then gripped her in the breast, and mado an ugly wound. The screams of tho girl brought help, and the clog was drivon oil, but not until ho had made a second attack. Dr Christie is attending tho sufferer, who 13 in a very weak condition. The wound in her breast is a dangerous one. The dog is usually kept on tho chain, on account of his savago nature, but on Friday morning he unfortunatoly happened to bo free, / Tho following telegram lias been re- ' coived fi om the Mayor of Nelson by Mr | Newman :—": — " G. Newman, Esq., New I Plymouth — Many thanks for kind con- ! gratulntions Convoy to Judge Kettle, and the thirty other gentlemen, tho citizons of Nclaon's hearty thanks for their kind sympathy. Everything goiDg off well. — Pj Tiusk, Mayor."