The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News and The Echo. FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1887.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 4080, 10 August 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News and The Echo.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 1887.

For the cause that lacks issistacce, For tha wrong that needs luistanct, Foi the futura in the distance, And tha gocd that we can do.

North Auckland district has not a lew just grievances against Uovernment on the score of their neglecting to execute public works of a necessary character, but perhaps the most crying one of the lot ia that which refers to railway matters. Uvor and over again have representations been made by the inhabitants of Northern districts of the way in which their interests have been ignored, and as often have these representations produced no result. The residents of Whangaroi, in public mcetirg assembled on Wednesday last, have resolved on making a fresh and more urgent call upon Government to construct a short line to connect the Whanwhau coal mines with the Whangarei-Kamo railway. This proposed line is only about a mile in length, and would be easy of construction, being calculated to cost no more than £4,000 in all- Yet Government, in lieu of a better reason for delaying the work, have advanced the plea of want of funds, while they are proposing to speed over £5,000 in erecting a workshop, sheds, &c, along the Whangarei Railway, The development of the resources of the northern districts is of great importance, and the line which is wanted would not only help to do so, but would facilitate travelling between different towns. This work is certainly much more pressing than tbe other works which Government purpose proceeding with ; at least people on the spot, who ought to know best, say so very decidedly, and have sent a deputation to Wellington to enforce their views on Ministers. We would hope that this deputation may secure the support of all Auckland representatives. The Whauwhau coal mine at present has an output of 600 tons per month, but it is desirable that facilities should be given for increasing this, by providing means of transit for the coal to the Auckland market. It was asserted, at the meeting referred to, that the construction of this short branch tvoulrf be the means of doubling the traffic on the main line; that it would lead to but a slight increase in the working expenses ; and that the .coal company are prepared to guarantee to Govertime tit the expenses of working the branch. In these circumstances we caunot see how Government with,any grace can refuse the request of Whangarei people, unless they are determined to carry - their policy of favouritism in coal contracts to the utmost extremity, and crush out any attempts to develop the northern coalfields.