CHRISTCHURCH NEWSPAPERS ON THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7403, 11 August 1885, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH NEWSPAPERS ON THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

[by TELEGRAPH.—OWN correspondent. Christohurch, Monday. The Times seems rather glad that Meigga and Co. are disposed of. It admits that such an agreement as they wanted was preposterous, and hints that if Sir J. Vogol had explained the matter before it would have saved a great deal of unpleasantness. The Press has carefully held its tongue over the whole matter, never a word having appeared in its columns for or against. The argument of the Times now is that every leader in the House having declared in favour of the railway, and ouly objected to certain methods of building it, the oolony is now committed to the line, and it only remains to discuss the alternatives proposed by Sir J. Vogel and Sir G. Grey. The new route proposed will, I am afraid, complicate the matter, for public opinion here hat never been definitely settled in favonr cf the Arthur's Pass line. Only this morning one gentleman, who has gained for himself great prominence in the railway agitation, declares most emphatically in favour of the Cannibal Gorge route. Taking the line ae proposed up the Rakaia would slightly lengthen it, but it would open up the beat cod field In Canterbury, give communication with the Browning s Pass Reef, and cost leas for cod* struction, it is contended, by £800,000.