The Western Star. (PUBLISHED WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1876.

Western Star, Issue 125, 29 January 1876, Page 4

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 1876.

Since our last issue matters connected with the public Works of the District do not seem to have at all improved, the late disgraceful fracas at the railway bridge oh the Highlands disclosing a sfate of affairs of which it would bo hard to find a parallel ease in the whole Colony. Whether the Government are powerless to act in the matter, or whether they intend to allow things to take •their course, \ye have not been able to discover'; but this much we will say, that the prosecution of the Public Works here, instead of benefiting the inhabitants as it ought, had reason to be regarded as a curse by nearly every resident in the Western District. vVhero this state of things is going to end it would he difficult to conjecture; but, unless there is some speedy change for the better, «e have no doubt it will result in the exodus of some of our most energetic and enterprising residents, who will be compelled to shape their course for some other part of the country presenting than tire Western District. There is one question which everyone

seems to be quite in the dark about, and that is" when the contract time for the Western Railways expires. In cross-examination, in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Riverton, some time .•■ T o, the agent for the emit motor stated that tins o n!rant time commence ! from the date of gettie- los'ossion of the line in November, 1874, and tint' the cent not or was allowed eighteen months to complete them. if I bat date is correct the contract time will expire in May, 1876. Now, from the icipeamnce of the works at present, there doc- d seem the -lightest probability that the : uos will be completed within that time. Tins was a matter the deputation sent up to lituKaiin' a short time ago appeared to have entirely overlooked when they.were put off with the plausible reply of bis Honour that- things would be all set to rights ; and we think if a Vigilance Committee (as was suggested the other day) is to be appointed, this ought to be one of the first things seen to. If the residents of the district will not look after their own affairs, they are not likely to get any one else to take up their cause, and the sooimr 'snme understanding is come to regarding the real position of affairs between the Government and the contractors the better for the whole community.