THE MANAWATU RAILWAY.

Evening Star, Issue 12762, 15 March 1906, Page 8

THE MANAWATU RAILWAY.

WELLINGTON, March 15, Speaking at a banquet to Mr Field, M.H.R., last night at Levin; 'the Premier referred to the purchase of tho Manawatu Railway Company's line by the Government. ■; He said that under the, original agreement if the Government took, oyer the line within twenty-one years they had to pay 10 per cent, on the cost of constractibn. Taking the latter at half a .million sterling, it meant £50,000. Vhs line was Opened its entire length in 1886, so that in November of next year the twenty-one years would expire, and after that no percentage would have to be paid. The Government had to give the company twelve months' notice before purchasing, and they had up till November to give such notice; and as the term was now nearly expired the Government could not see their way to make a present of £50,000 to the company. Strenuous efforts, he said, were being made to complete the Main Trunk line within the next three years, and the present Parliament would have to deal with the wjuesfcion of taking over the Manawatu line.