In the elaborate and interesting report of Mr. William Perkins, who was at the head of a recent Government expedition to El Rey, an old Spanish settlement in the Gran Chaco, occurs the following remarks:—“The northern part of the Province of Santa FÉ is justly considered the most important, being so highly favoured by nature; and in truth the Creator has here scattered with a prodigal hand all the elements capable of attracting population and industry. For these reasons it saddens the heart to see these magnificent lands deserted, teeming as they do with natural riches. Mighty rivers and streams cross each other in all directions; first-class timber in the woods to an extent the eye cannot reach; picturesque meadows of rich pasture,—in a word, whatever can be desired for agricultural and industrial pursuits.”

Mr. Perkins has been one of the most active and intelligent agents in the cause of emigration to the Argentine Republic and so soon as the land transfers of the Central Argentine Railway are completed the company intend to send him to the United States and to England for the purpose of making arrangements, and to bring out people to occupy their land, a desirable step, which will at once enhance its value and that of the immense tracts by which it is surrounded. The peculiar feature of this railway is the territory attached to the concession, namely, a league on each side of the line, comprising a total of about a million of acres, one half of which is the property of the contractors, the other half belonging to the shareholders, who have, besides, the national guarantee of 7 per cent. on the capital of £1,600,000, which the railway is to cost, or about £6,500 per mile. It is, perhaps, one of the easiest railways in the world to make, the chief expense being the rails and rolling stock, few earthworks or ordinary sleepers being required. As I have before noticed, there is plenty of wood higher up the country, about Villa Nueva, where a large quantity of sleepers of excellent quality were being prepared to complete the line to Cordova.

In Mr. Perkins' report just alluded to are some very graphic descriptions of the riverine facilities, at present so little known or availed of, but it is to be hoped when he revisits those scenes, after utilising his services at home, he will return to see progress already made, and some at least of the lands of the Central Argentine Railway occupied by thriving settlers. It only requires encouragement, and a beginning to be made, which I believe will not long be delayed.

The Argentine Government has come forward to assist the Argentine Railway by an issue of bonds for £300,000, the contractors supplying the remaining £300,000, which, with £1,000,000 in shares when the company was formed, completed the capital. The timely assistance thus rendered by the Government is an earnest of their desire to see this great work accomplished, in which the welfare of the upper provinces is so deeply concerned, as there are no navigable rivers running westward to Cordova, the Parana and the Paraguay tending northward into Paraguay and Matto Grosso. It follows, as a matter of course, that a large portion of the produce of these western provinces will find its way to Cordova and to the railway, amongst them many articles which have never yet been brought down to Rosario or Buenos Ayres, on account of the great cost of transit.

Reverting to Mr. Perkins, his services in the cause of exploration of the country have been very valuable, and few there are better acquainted with the facilities it presents for emigration, when once centres of population are established by this main trunk railway from Rosario to Cordova.