CANTERBURY RAILWAYS..

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2986, 6 August 1870, Page 2

CANTERBURY RAILWAYS..

The following correspondence explains itself’ Chr . gtchurc ii ( j niy 28fch> 1870 i. Sir,—The depressed condition of the general conimerce of the province, and particularly of the agricultural interest, .induces us to believe that immediate steps should be taken by our representatives to avail themselves of the facilities likely to be afforded by the policy of colonization adopted by the Assembly. Your Honor will probably agree with* u» that the immediate continuation of the Northern railway as far as the Eowai. ia* matter of the utmost necessity to the large number of struggling fanners situated in the northern part of the province, who labour under exceptional difficulties from want of communication with a port. -- Your Honor has already expressed an opinion favourable to proceeding as rapidly as possible with the Southern railway. It is obvious that it is essential to the farther settlement of the province in that direction, that this railway should be speedily carried across the Raktda. Any further delay in the commencement and prosecution of these works would, be a matter of the deepest regret, and no opportunity should be lost to obtain the necessary assistance to carry them on. If help be not obtained during tbe current session, the long and unnecessary delay of at least a year must follow to the detriment of every interest in (the province. We would therefore urge upon your. Honor to take immediate steps to obtain a« resolution of the Assembly, authorising the province forthwith to carry on these public works out of the loans proposed to be raised by the colony for such purposes.. Should this appear to be impracticable, we would respectfully suggest that a promise might be obtained from the Executive to recommend the new Parliament that the province should be indemnified for all moneys spent or liabilities incurred in the prosecution of these works. Such a promise would, we believe, justify the Provincial Council at its ensuing session, in making appropriations for the purpose.We have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient servant,. G. Gould R. H. Rhodes R. J, S. Harman J. S. Williams J; Inglis H. H. Hennah T. M. Hassal F. J.. Garrick W. P. Cowlishaw A. Duncan F. Banks W. Reeves W. H. Lane W. Montgomery J.Andersoa. To his Honor William Rolleston,, Esq., Superintendent of Canterbury.

Wellington, August 1,1870. Gentlemen, —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ult., and in reply, to inform you that it will be my endeavour and I have no doubt that of the other representatives of districts in the Province of Canterbury,, to induce the Geneeral Assembly to apportion under the proposals of the Government such sums as will enable the Provincial Government to proceed with the construction of its Railways during the current year. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, W. Rolleston. To George Gould,. Esq,, R. J. S. Harman, Esq, and others.