The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-15 00:00:00

TEE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVEN

is reason to believe that he knew of some intended
attack to be made in New Zealand ; and indeed
the information which has been received in
Sydney lately shows the existence of serious dis-
affection among a certain class in those islands. As
crime sometimes assume a kind of epidemic form,
and the notoriety attending one outrage stimulates
morbid minds to repeat it in another form, it is pos-
sible that another attack might have been made on
the Prince had he visited New Zealand, an event
which would have occasioned almost greater regret
to the colonists than to ourselves. The New Zea-
landers themselves, while regretting the loss of the
Prime's visit, must feel that the risk so incurred
would be an unwise one, and had the original plan
been acihered to the anxiety and vigilance insepar-
able from the visit after the alarm at Sydney would
have greatly interfered with the pleasure of all par-
ties. half the enjoyment of the PntscF.'s Austra-
lian sojourn, both on the part of hosts and guests,
was due to the free and unceremonious manner in
which he mixed with the populace. If it were ne-
cessary or advisable to keep to closed carriages and
guards on every public occasion the visit must
have been a hilurc, and it is better avoided. As it

is, the PRINCE has returned with a favourable im-
pression of colonial loyalty and hospitality, while
the colonists r?,tain an affectionate recollection of
the frankness and affability of the PRINCE.

The discussion on the proposed amalgamation of
the South Coast Railways on Friday evening in the
House of Lords showed that their lordships have at
all events no desire to slight the subject. The
Marquis of CLANRICARDE, on the motion for the
second reading of the bill, brought forward the
amendment of which he had given notice, and pro-
posed that it should be read that day six mouths.
After an interesting debate the amendment was
withdrawn, the bill was read a second time,
and referred to a select committee, with the
understandino that its details were to be subjected
to a searching revision. The Duke of RICHMOND,
who had recently received a deputation on the sub-
ject from Surrey, Sussex, and other districts
affected by the bill, observed that all the objections
taken to it were on points of detail, not;to the prin-
ciple of amalgamation itself. This was the case in
the Lords on Friday night, where not a single
voice was raised in favour of the objection-
able clauses, but almost all the speakers
expressed their approval of the principle itself.
It was generally thought that the proposed combi-
nation was a wise one, and that if such a system
had been earlier adopted much of the ruinous waste
of money which the public are expected to pay for
might have been avoided. Earl FORTESCUE,
indeed, openly acknowledged that he thought
such matters as gas and water supply and rail-
way accommodation could only be profitably
provided by a monopoly, and he believed the inte-
rests of the public were better consulted by a mono-
poly, carried on under stringent regulations, and
by provisions, enforcing adequate service, and limit-
ing the charges to a reasonable amount. Lord
REDESDALE'S suggestion was the best, and we
hope that before long we may see it car-
ried into effect. The noble lord expressed
his anxiety to see an efficient railway
Board established, which should report on schemes
for the guidance of Parliament. Such a Board, if
properly constituted, would be of immense service.
It would bring all the rival schemes and
interested projects to the test of a thorough
and impartial investigation, giving the pub-
lic the benefit of experienced and inde-
pendent judgment on matters which concern the
comfort of almost all of us, but with which it is at
present no one's exact province to deal. In extreme
cases, like the details of this Amalgamation Bill,
some efforts are made, but generally speaking those
who are most affected have not the time or the
money to spire to press forward their grievances.
Besides, the whole of our railway legisla-
tion of late years has been piecemeal and hap-
hazard, and we want a broader and more com-
prehensive spirit. Railways have become so much.
a necessity of our daily life, they have assumed so
prominent a position in our metropolitan highways,
and have effected such sweeping changes in our
streets and squares, that they can no longer be
thrust aside or treated with indifference. Their
managers are certainly not too moderate in
their claims or requisitions. They expect every
one's convenience, interest, or pleasure to give way,
and all their past experience has not taught them to
curtail their demands. Lord FORTESCUE did not
scruple to denounce the provisions of the new bill
as " impudent," and said he Idid not think the
public should be called upon to pay for
wasteful expenditure upon branches or for
improvident and ruinous contests. Earl GREr de-
clared that " he was the more opposed to sanction-
ing this increase, because it was notorious that the

difficulties and embarrassments of the railway com-
panies were the result of the grossest extravagance
and mismanagement. lie trusted therefore that

Parliament would not in the slightest degree listen
to any sugges'ion for permitting the railway com-
panies to increase their fares." So strong was the
feeling on this point that several noble lord; while
approving of the second reading, reserved to them-

selves the right to oppose the bill at the final stage
if the necessary alterations were not made. Lord
REDESDALE characterised the demand for increased

'arcs as " absolutely novel and objectionable."

" The promoters," he said, " bad also made a most

extraordinary request; they had absolutely asked for
power to make as unlimited charge—a thing that

had never before been heard of in connection with

railway legislation. If the house sanctioned such

a proposal, it would be opening the door to impo-

sitions on the public of th© most dangerous cha-

racter." Such unqualified condemnation from no

less an authority than Lord REDESDALE would
have, we should hope, great woight with the com-
mittee, and Lord GREY'S suggestion that some

officer belonging to the Board of Trade, or other-
wise familiar with the subject, should be appointed

to assist the members of the committee with his

advice, deserves attention. As Lord CLANurcAnDic
remarked, the fares and regulations of these South

Coast.,Railways affect the whole of Europe, since

they have the command of the communication be-
twee❑ Englani and the Continent, and it is, there-

fore, a matter of no slight importance that they

should be governed by a liberal and enlightened
spirit. The proposal to introduce a clause subject-
ing the Act to revision " after a certain period of
trial" is a very wise one. Ten years is, however, too

long for an experiment of the kind. Five years
would be quite long enough to test the working of
the Act, and to discover the public feeling on the
matter. Before that Ulna has elapsed we hope that
Lord REDESDALE'S BOard of Control over our
whole railway system will be in full working order,
and that the directors and managers of companies
will be a little more careful and scrupulous in their
devices for making the public pay for their mis-

management, excessive competition, and extra-

vagance.

The Railways Ireland Commissioners met on
Saturday last at 2, Victoria-street, Westminster. Present
—Sir tiles. Y. Spearman, Bart., John Mulholland, Esq
Jolln Fowler, Esq., c.h., Sey►uour Clarke, Esq., and Chris-
toplia Johnstone, Esq.

LATEST INTELL IGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)