THE Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1882.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1060, 13 March 1882, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1882.

It is with equal surprise and regret we find that the exhibits for the Christchurch Exhibition next month are coming to hand very slowly, and that a feeling of apathy seems to exist here on the subject that is absolutely incomprehensible. Up to the present time, though the County Council undertook to -receive and forward exhibits of any kind that might be sent in, only samples of coal have been entrusted to them, and the time for despatching whatever exhibits Inangahua may send is rapidly drawing to a close. All must be in Christchurch early ir April to enable them fe> be properly classified and arrlfcged, and to reach there by thai; date they must leave here this week at the latest indeed go not later than Wednesday. There is probably no district in the Colony where so many varied and valuable products are to be found as in t this one, in minerals, timber of all kinds, as well as a host of other things, and if a little spirit in the matter could be infused into the community, the Inangahua section would be one of the ipost striking and interesting in the whole show. Some of the specimens of quartz that are in the possession at a great many residents would mafce a sight in themselves, and the varieties <of *he stone would also attract a large amount of attention and appreciation. A carefully selected set of exhibits would do more to bring forward the resources of. the district than volumes of written description, and the result would be surely beneficial in a score pf vajs, amongst others in attracting the attention of capitalists to the large amount of natural wealth at present waiting development There are numbers of openings in the Infengahua where capital could be profitably and safely invested, but must now lie either wholly undeveloped or very partially taken advantage of. If by means of a handsome and comprehensive collection of products we can induce investment here it will be productive of good that hardly be calculated, and that such an effect would be produced there is not the slightest reason to doubt The present reaction in mining industries, and the Blight temporary depression consequent on it no doubt has diverted public attention in a great degree from the Exhibition, but surely in a case like the present a little energy may be expected, .and should be manifested without a day's further delay. It is possible that people will wake up when it is too late, and ineffectually regret their culpable supineness. Let us bbob* earnestly urge then on all classes to put their shoulders to the wheel and send fa samples of what Inangahua can do m the shape of production, so tha* we may be worthily represented, in Christchurch. Though the scale on! which the Exhibition will be held must necessarily be a small one, 4s compared with the Worlds' Fairs of older countries and more populous places, still the Exhibition will be far larger than anything ever yet seen in New Zealand, and all nations nearly will be represented at it Visitors will attend from all parts of the colony, and if the Inangahua district does not make all the show it can the residents have themselves alone to blame. The gathering will, be the greatestever assembled in Jfaw Zealand, and such an opportunity of exhibiting our wares will probably never occur again in a lifetime. A very little activity and energy on the part of a few of the residents will effect all that is needed. Surely there are some who will attach the importance to the subject which it unquestionably possesses, atid wilj come forward, even at the eleventh hour, to provide for the thorough representation of the district

Government was known before, but it is still more satisfactory to find that he has been successful in his efforts, and that his advocacy has already secured the immediate advantage of a triweekly mail service between here and Westport, with an unconditional promise that all asked for shall be granted at the end of the present postal year, when the existing contracts fall in. Granting the above concession will involve an unauthorised expenditure of nearly three thousand pounds, and the thanks of the community are due to the Government for this liberality. We received the following very satisfactory telegram on Saturday evening : _ "Christchuboh, March 11 — The Government telegraphs to Mr. Weston, M.H.R., that they regret they are unable to comply with the wish of the petitioners for a through thrice a week service between Greymouth and Nelson. The existing services not expiring till the end of the year make it impossible for them to accept Mitchell and Campbell's offer. In addition to making Beflgrove service weekly in place of fortnightly from January last, they have just arranged that the Westport and Reefton mail coach should run three times instead of twice weekly, 'with the special object of shortening tfl£fc||^te(3*een, Nelson and Reefton •HiPPwPßbuth, ''enabling Nelson passengers to reach Reefton oh the third day. JF These facilities will cost L 2809 per year, and they shall be unable to incur further expenditure at present At the end of year tenders will be called for the services desired by the petitioners."