THE HUTT ROAD AND RAILWAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 45, 21 August 1903, Page 41

THE HUTT ROAD AND RAILWAY.

At last the Government is definitely pledged to the straightening of the Hutt railway, the widening and straightening of the Hutt-road and the necessary reclamation works connected therewith. Sir Joseph Ward intimated to the House of Representatives yesterday that- a BilPjproviding for thcie undertakings would be brought down promptly by the Premier, and if the requisite authority was obtained the work would be commenced this year. This is, indeed, gratifying news to the people of Wellington and the Hutt Valley. For years the Government has been urged to take up this important and urgent enterprise, and the prolonged delay has made the hearts of residents in the districts sick with hope deferred. We can, however, warmly commend the Government for its uecision, lardy though it is, and we trust that as a set-off against its past procrastination it will push, on vigorously with the work, now that its final determination is arrived at. While admitting that the member for the Hutt, Mr. T. M. Wilford, has done good service in his advocacy of this great project, we would point out that the credit must be shared with others, and notably with Mr. John Duthie, on whose motion, as far back as 1898, a leturn was laid on the table of the House showing the cost of straightening the railway. Mr. Duthie had already this session' given notice of a question to the Minister at Railways asking : " (1) What is the latest' departmental estimate of the cos-t to straighten and duplicate the railway between Wellington and the Lower Hutt ; (2) what is the estimate of the value of the land that could be. profitably reclaimed when so reconstructing this section of railway ; and "(3) is it the intention of the Government to provide for a commencement of the work this session?" and this question was awaiting an answer when Mr. Wilford yesterday asked without notice the question which elicited from Sir Joseph Ward the statement to which we have alluded 'above. Although the latter question was asked without notice, Sir Joseph was apparently not unprepared for it, and as a move in the political game he was probably quite ready to let one of the Government's supporters gain whatever advantage there was to be won by receiving the answer which he knew to be very welcome to the inhabitants of this city and its suburbs.