THE RAILWAY PETITION.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 106, 21 July 1876, Page 5

THE RAILWAY PETITION.

TO THIS EDITOR.

Sir, — I fully concur with the remarks made in your leading column of 7th inst., regarding the Waitepeka Railway. I am personally disinterested in either line. 1 have, however, for some ■time carefully observed all particulars connected therewith from its commencement, and with your leave I beg to make a few remarks thereon. It is, I think, about two years since that portion of the Southern Trunk Railway from Balclutha to Clinton was first commenced by a flying survey by way of the Four-mile Creek. On observing this, the settlers in the Waitepeka Valley sent a requisition to the General Government, pointing out that the Waitepeka Valley was the proper route for the railway to go by. In answer, the Government at once requested the engineer to examine this route ; and after examination, so satisfied was he that the Waitepeka Valley was the best route that he at once put on his whole staff and made a permanent survey by that route. But, strange to say, the engineer, on completing this survey, sont in a report stating that he could not recommend this route, as it was three-quar-•ters of a mile longer, aud would cost £12,500 more than that by tho Four-mile Greek,— which had not then been surveyed. One would naturally suppose that the answer of the Government to this report should have boon, — Well, sir, seeing that you know the exact cost of the one line, without being surveyed, why put the country to the enormous expense of making a permanent survey of the other line, and then condemn it ? His services ought to have been dispensed with there and then. But not so, for we find that he i and his staff were again put on the Four-mile Creek lino, Tho settlers in the Waitepeka and surrounding districts determined to use every constitutional means within their power to provent such gross and grevious injustice being done them. They accordingly petitioned tlie Superintendent and Provincial Government, asking their assistance and influence to get tho line taken as permanently surveyed, by Waitepeka. This requisition was fully endorsed by his Honor, and sent to head-quarters at Wellington ; and an answer was received to the effect that previous to deciding on either Imp, the Government would send down tho Chief Engineer to examine and report. Tbis was accordingly done, and about six months afterwards the engineer's report appeared in print, and was to the effect that although the Waitepeka Valley was a rich agricultural district, and thickly populated, yet he could not recommend tho line to go by that way, because, he said, it was one mile longer than by tho Four-mile Creole, and therefore would bo equal to levying a tax of 4d to 6d per ton extra on somo districts outside, whereas it would only cost tho Waitepeka settlers Is 6d por ton extra for cartage. Instead of this, it is quite evident that tho extra cost to Waitepeka and surrounding districts on an average would not be less than 3s 6d per ton. Now, Sir, I would ask in tho name of justice, why should one largo and important district be taxed from Is Gd to 3s Gd a ton to save another district *ld to Gd per ton ? Tho settlers in Waitepeka could not see the justice of this strange argument, and being still determined to maiutain their right, next brought the whole matter before the Provincial Council, during its last session. After careful consideration, the Council passed a unanimous resolution strongly recommending the lino to go by Waitopeka, as being decidedly the best for the railway and the best for tho district. Here we have the whole of the representatives of Otago in Council assembled strongly recommending the railway to go by way of Waitepeka. This, again, was sent to Wellington for the approval of the General Government ; yet there was no favorable reply. Shortly after this, the General Assembly mot at j Wellington, and this matter was again brought before the House of Representatives, and by them referred to a Select Committee. This Committee also reported iv favour of the Waitepeka line. Here, then, wo have the representatives of the whole of Now Zealand recommending the railway to go by way of Waitepeka, as being decidedly the best. One would very naturally suppose that this would settle the matter, and that no Government would dare to refuse to carry out the requost. But what do we find ? A little farther on in the session, Mr Thomsm, representative for the Clutha district, askocl tho Minister for Public Works if the Government was now prepared to carry out the recommendation of tho General Assembly ro tho Waitepeka Railway Deviation ; and the answer waSj — No, because it is contarry to the recommendation of the engineer. Wo thus have the recommendation of the representatives of all New Zealand set at defiance by one of our Civil servants. This certainly is a most humiliating state of affairs, which cannot bo , endured much longer. If this be the kind of justice to be derived from Centralism, then I think Otago has got enough of it.— l am, &c, A Lover op Justice. Dunedin, July 10, 1876.