The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 384, 23 October 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1868.

If anything w r as necessary to show how the Colonial authorities know how " not to do it," the last telegram furnished at the rate of £SO per annum, via Panama, would prove the rule. Yesterday some two columns and a half were devoted to the Panama telegrams, and yet, out of this sheaf of straw, scarcely a grain of news could be gathered. The reason is simply this. The existing Government, needy as they are, endeavour by all means in theii power, to divert all public monies into their exchequer. Amongst other sources of income, the telegraphic line is one of the most profitable, and in order to make the very most of it, a telegraph, or other clerk, who knows about as much about condensing news, as he does of the latest air pump, is detailed for the service, and is instructed to furnish the various papers with a telegram, according to to his lights, supposed to be a summary of the news tc hand. Of course, in the usual official style, the clerk so detailed, does his best, and his best can be ascertained by reference to the laborious telegram that appeared yesterday. By this economical plan, the Government pockets some thousands, a year from the newspapers published in New Zealand, and the public, who are supposed to be benefitted by the earliest intelligence, are given an uncommonly bad re-hash of the news contained in the Panama Star and Herald. Thisjournal rial however well conducted, is not sufficiently good to be relied on for news that would affect the New Zealand population, and the American tinge; that necesarily pertains to it is anything but acceptable to a British population. In common with all

humanity, we can deplore and commiserate with such an awful calamity as recently befell the northern portion of South America, and in the progress and development of the United States, as an offshoot of our own grand old country, everyone must feel the greatest interest. At the same time we scarcely care to know that Senator -Tones has been nominated Governor, and Senator, or otherwise, Brown, has been placed in a position to become his deputy. Great as the various States may be, we do not trouble about their intestine politics, and the telegraphist at "Wellington could more profitably employ himself in meting out the contract number of words, than in sending us a lot of stuff that is perfect Greek to a large number of our readers, and is uncared for by the remainder. For example, the Eev. Bollaros' opinion, in reference to peace being maintained between England and America, may have local influence, and may even sway a portion of his congregation, but it is scarcely worth telegraphing, and that such a fact should be seized on, evidences the poverty of the brains of the Government condenser. The whole telegram is a sham, the whole news are " bosh," and the telegram manufacture is alike discredi-

table to the Government, as the imperfect way in which it is carried out, is disgraceful to the concocters. From what we have received, we learn in fact little or nothing. We know truly that the Queen is still at Lucerne, and that she has changed her location from the mountain scenery of the Scottish Highlands, to that of Switzerland, but we hear little or nothing of the throes that are now convulsing England, in connection with the pending general election, and the old, old cry, of Justice to Ireland. We certainly are told that riots have taken place in Manchester and elsewhere, and that the bigots on either side, are preparing to wage war. But we hear of no great syeeches, we are told of no great straws thrown up in the political world, to show w"iieb way the wind blows, and though the United Kingdom is now, and has been for some time one great chaos of strife, not a syllable is dropped jfcn let us know '

how the tide is working, ov to what end popular opinon is pointing. "What care we who is G-overnor of this or the other American State. We only want to know what is doing nearer home, what instalment of justice the Irish are likely to obtain ? We desire to know what Gladstone, Bright and others are doing, what Disraeli and the Ministry propose, in what condition in fact the political world of our homes stands at the present moment ? Naturally we feel interested in other subjects, but those most to our heart, the brilliant telegraphist most cautious avoids. The latest news, as we have it, by telegram may be condensed into a nutshell. The Queen is abroad, Dr Jeune is dead, three new judges are appointed, Jacob Omnium has shufflled off this mortal coil, the American difficulty is at least on the way to settlement, war is probable on the continent of Europe, and America will not be permitted to pass the Dardanelles at discretion. That so little could comprise the monthly history of Europe, is ridiculous, and that Mr Stafford may choose some better qualified person to act as telegraphist, than the geni us that has lately been furnishing us with scraps from the latest European newsis a consummation devoutly to be desired. "We just know as much about European affairs as we did before, and this state of ignorance we may fairly set down to official cayjacity in " not knowing how to do it."