THE TE ARO EXTENSION.

Evening Star, Issue 8789, 1 April 1892, Page 4

THE TE ARO EXTENSION.

With refcr*ace to the dispute between the Railway Commissioners and the Minister of Public Works >* the erection of a goods station as well as a passenger station at Te Arc the Hon. Mr Seddon has forwarded a Lngthy reply to the Commissioners, in which he explains that in their first memorandum the latter gave no reasonsior objecting to the construetbn of a station, but merely stated that they declined to advise in any way ; therefore he, as the authority entrusted by Parliament to give effect ■ij its wishes with respect to the construction of railways, had Ukeu the only ■oano open to him, and instructed vae Acting Enginoerin-Chiuf to prepare plana for providing the requisite accommodation for a goods station at Te Aro. He vicinted out that the Commissioners' objection was mainly on the consideration of economy and railway convenience ; but the .' iovernment consider that public oonvenience is ;i just matter for consideration, and "believe that the erection of a goods station it the l"e Aro extension would be of great yjnvcnienca to a large proportion of the Wellington residents. He combats the state.Tient o? the Commissioners that there would be no increase of business, and says the Government are informed that there would be a considerable increase in traffic, which of course meant additional revenue, which ■wo;ild more than cover the ooat of any loss sustained by dividing the goods traffic between Thorndon and Te Aro Moreover, there was every probability that the Wellington and Manawatu Railway would become the property of the Government, And to the acquisition of this line by the Government he believed the Commisaioners were favorably disposed. When this was accomplished the traffic would necessarily increase, He goes on to ,?ay that the Commissioners have declined to submit any plans or advise him in any way as regards a goods st&tfon, and, under the circunwtances, in order to giye effect to the wishes of parliament, he felt compelled to seek assistance from other exparta, and is now advised by such experts that thara is sufficient room for a good* station at Te Aro, cii*cJ that one can be provided aj a moderate ooat. With regard to the reference made by the Commissioners to section 81 of the Act he eoald only say that they had been consulted regarding the but had refused to approve of its erection. Mr Seddon concludes: "I do not think it would be w'se to take legal action to compel the Commisaioners to locate and approve a goods .9 well as a passenger station at Ta Aro, as :his would seeni to be frittering away money which might be better spent in the execution of the work itself, and I therefore iutend to do tha best I can ia the direction of expending the whole of the fuuas voted for the railway in useful construction works," The Commissioners point out that section 31 ot' the Government Railways Act, 1881, cave Waero. the authority to decide on and approve tha position, character, and suitableness of tJze station works, so as to prevent extravagance in working as well as excessive outlay in construction. They consider both those objections apply to *".• goods station at Te Aro, and thai both ou technical and colonial grounds they should not approve of such work.

"» You say that idleness and having your own way was your downfall," demanded the judge, kindly. " What started you on your career of crime?" "I can't say, your Honor, but I was brought up by my grand* another."