AUCKLAND AND WAIKATO RAILWAY AND THE NATIVE QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2902, 17 May 1873, Page 3

AUCKLAND AND WAIKATO RAILWAY AND THE NATIVE QUESTION.

To the Editor of the Herald. Sir, —I noticed with much pleasure a wellwritten and sensible leading article in the Herald of Thursday morning, with reference to the Waikato railway. I quite agree with the writer, that if we are to fight, we ohould be prepared; and the railway should as soon a3 possible, regardless of cost, be running at lease to Mercer. I had occasion a few days ago to walk over most of the line as far as Drury, and was astonished to find so much of the line quite finished. With Ihe exception of a bridge or two (and a form through which the owner, I am informed, will not allow the contractors to work), it is formed and ready for tli3 sleepers and rails to Drury. It would be a givat advantage to net it even thus far, in ease of -war ; but upon inquiry, I learned that the great obstacle to the forwarding of the permanent way is the want of sleepers. Surely H efm never pay to bring them by steamer, when coal is at 355. per ton, from the South, and when we have any quantity of suitable kauri wood in this province. For whatever reason this course has been adopted, it is simply taking coals to Newcastle. Now, if heart of kauri sawnsleepers cost 5s per sleeper, let us have them j and if the contractors don't make sufficient profit out of them, let our Government pay them more ; but-, at this period, it would be madness to let the railway stick for the want of sleepers: now is the time to have this question (and many others of public interest) settled, —for we have amongst U3 Messrs. Brogden and Sons' representative, Mr. Henderson, C.E., a gentleman "jrho will give every one an audience, nnd who ever studies the interest of the public and country as well as that of his firm. 'J his hint is thrown out to those in authority ; and it is suggested to the writer of the article of this morning to call on Mr. Henderson and learn the facts as to the progress of the railway, and. the probable time when, it' needed, it could be ) opened for freight and munitions of war. At i this moment, I learn that the magazine in ■ Auckland is full of Spencer rifles and cartridges (the same rifles that settled the ' American Civil -war, when placed in the hands of a well-trained army under General Sherman). Would it not be advis-ible, in case of need, to have these placed in the Waikato under Colonel Lyon or Major Jackson ? I i sincerely trust the Defence Minister and tbe I Superintendent will give the above their | berious consideration, and get from Mr. Henderson at least an expression of opinion as to when the line may bo opened. It is a serious question just now to the province of Auckland. I have been informed that engineers are at present surveying a lino from Mercer to Cambridge, and I also heard that Mr. Vogel said that it is the intention of his Government to build at once a line to Cambridge, and he (Mr. Yogcl) hoped it would not stop there. He is perfectly right, for a railway through the country would soon put an end to the native question, and save many thousands of pounds yearly.—l am, &c., JRAY£LLEB.