THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7001, 25 April 1884, Page 6

THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR. .Sib, —It is satisfactory to note the exertiona the Government, in the peraon of Mr. Mitchelson, are making to furnish themselves with authentic information concerning the several proposed rail way routes to connect the Auckland provincial district with the rest of the colony. It certainly looks as though the Ministry meant business bo far as asking for the necessary authority from the House next session to raise the loan required to proceed with the construction of a iSorthern trunk line. The question, however, for Aucklanders to consider rather anxiously is—will the merits of the several lines be impartially considered by those who are to deoide as to which should be adopted by the country ? I am surprised that no public meeting has been called, while Mr. Mitchelson remains in this city, at which the views of the commercial community of Auckland as to which line they would prefer could be clearly expressed for the guidance of our Parliamentary representatives. We must not live in a fool's paradise, and believe that no special effort is necessary to ensure that the West Coast route is not abandoned without sufficient cause. There is little doubt but that strenuous efforts are being made in certain quarters to prooure tbe adoption of the central route, and if it be an object to Auckland and business men that the Taranaki trade and that of the rich agricultural country through which a West Coast line would pass, should' not be lost to them for years to come, they should take every effectual means of making their wishes known to those entrusted with the public interests of this part of the colony. To this end 1 would suggest that His Worship the Mayor call a publio meeting for to-morrow evening to elicit the views of citizens on & subject bearing so directly upon the commercial interests of Auckland.—l am, &0., ' 23rd April. Aocklandeh.