RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1911, Page 6

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

HI LIMITED BY BORROWING POWERS. (By Telegraph.—-Press Association.) WELLINGTON, i his day. A North Canterbury deputation waited on t : li_e Premier to-day with a rec.uest that the railway should :be constructed from Oulverd-en to Wtxiau. Sir Joseph Ward said that the Government could not give light promises that it would carry out this or any other public woVk. The railways which required to Ibe constructed at present would cast between 15 and 20 millions. They must be guided by their iborrowing powers. This particular railway was desirable, an( would 'be; put under way when the [Midland 1 railway to Bealey was complete, about the end* of the year. Before ho could make a definite statement the Government must enormously reduce the applications in hand. Another deputation asked that the Balclutha-Tuapeka mouth railway bo authorised. The district was prepared to guarantee 4 per cent on the cost of construction, estimated' up <to £IOO,OOO. If the Government would not undertake the work, power was sought to construct a private line. Sir Joseph Vfard said New Zealand's experience of private lines, and subsequent taking over Iby ithe State, had proved unsatisfactory. The deputation's request would be considered.