CHRISTCHURCH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3542, 15 November 1882, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

November 15

A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited on the Minister of Public Works yesterday with reference to the extension of the northward main trunk line of the Middle Island railway. Mr Johnston assured the deputation that the Royal Commission was entirely unfettered, and was empowered to consider all possible routes; also that the Government are not committed (by any expenditure or any surveys) to the Bast Coast line beyond the Red Post, and could not incur any liabilities beyond the vote in the Appropriation Act. The directors of the Union Insurance Company have decided to adopt the line of policy indicated by the chairman at their last general meeting, and increase their paid-up capital to £100,000. The two payments of 2s 6d a share, originally postponed from, 1879, have now been made payable on the 14th of January and 14th of May next. A correspondent writing to a morning paper makes a grave charge against the Eailway Department. Amongst other things he hints that the engines on the Blueskia section are unsuitable to the work, and that the real reason of the recent accident has been carefully concealed. He also alleges that engineshave been ordered from Home which are useless.