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Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7866, 18 May 1891, Page 2

(press association TELEGRAM.) GREYMOUTH, May 14. A largely attended meeting of the Railway Committee was held this afternoon, and passed a resolution to the following effect: —Tliat having considered Mr Seddon's different telegrams re the deviation difficulty, we are of opinion that the only objection the Minister has to recommend assent iB that the County Council has not yet complied with the terms of the Act of 1890, by entering into a contract -with the Midland Company to widen the road, bridge, and culverts from Pounamu to Lake Brunner, and providing a steamer. The meeting requests his \\ ct-ship the Mayor to telegraph to the Hon. R. Seddon, and ask whether he will advise the Governor to give his assent immediately to the deviation without waiting for Parliament to meet, it the County Council comply with the terms of the Act and Mr Seddon's letter to the Council, dated May 2nd last. Resolutions thanking the Christchurch Railway League for their assistance and co-operation were also carried unanimously.

Under date Wellington, April 23rd, the correspondent of the Grey River Argus telegraphed to that journal as follows with reference to Midland Railway affairs :—

'• Mr Wilson (General Manager and Engineer of the Midland Railway Company) had a long interview with Mr Seddon to-day on the question affecting the security for tbe Bellgrove section. The Company has given a bond for £20,000 to finish in December, 1593.

" P.e Lake Brunner deviation, the grade will be 1 in 50, and not 1 in 30, as on the first line. The new line will be two miles longer than the original road. Under these circumstances the Minister is reluctant to consent to the deviation. By the terms of the Act of 1890 the roads and bridges betweeu the Greenstone were to be completed by the county, the Kailway Company paying £2700. The contract was made by the Railway Company, leaving out the Hokonui river bridge. " The Minister contends that the making of the bridge over Hokonui wss conteniplated, and that otherwise the road would be often impassable. He asks that the amount be £-000. Mr Wilson will not agree to expend the extra £300. Under these circumstances the Minister has decided to let the matter stand over till Parliament meets.

" The contract has been altered to make it compulsory to atop and ferry passengers across Lake Brunner should the deviation be consented to. These provisions were omitted in the last contract.

" The Minister called Mr Wilson's attention to the face that the Company was entering into private contracts for tne deviation, and it was only fair to the colony that the works should be contracted for by public tender. Mr Wilson stated that pubiic tenders would not be invited, bat the Midland Railway Company would reserve the right to let the work to two or three contracting firms. The matter now stands as it was with little bops of the Minister giving way. The Minister is considering the question of local government on the West Coast, and it will be some days before anything definite is known."

The Engineer-in-Chief has telegraphed the following reply to the Argus :— "Just seen Wellington correspondent's telegram in your paper of 24th inst. I must correct mistakes therein. The steepest grade on the proposed deviation is 1 iv 60, while on the old line it ia 1 in 50. Although new line is li miles longer, it is proved to be cheaper for traffic, owing to reduced grades. Part of the deviation scheme is to reduce grades oa the Hue from Brunnerton to Otira to 1 in 60 throughout, including the already constructed line to Kaimata. The Company has strictly complied in every respect with terms of Midland Railway Act, 1&0, and I have no authority to go further, and the Minister has no right to attempt to obtain more from the Company than the £2700 already provided as per agreement now signed by the Grey County-Council and the Company. Under its contract the Company has full right to let works either privately or otherwise, and the Minister has no right to interfere. As a matter of fact, no contract*, except the first, have been let privately. The course which will be taken in the future is at present undecided, and will be dependant" solely upon the beat interests of

the Company. Under the circumstances, I cannot uodersfcaw- "**•? the consent to the deviation U Wi_Awa t and the ©om-panv-s works -fi the dM-idt atopped. If longer delayed -Mist div»_t money to Baat Coast end of line. ___ •' Robert W_t_oisr, "Engineer-in-Chief and GejneralManager. " AprU 30th, 1881."