VAILE'S RAILWAY SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9140, 23 August 1888, Page 3

VAILE'S RAILWAY SCHEME.

TO THJS EDITOR.

Sib, —The fact of the Government wanting the moderate sum of £45,000 more or lees as security against loss in the event of the Auckland railways being leased, reminds us of an incident when a number of friends were condoling with one of their number over a loss eustained; one said, •• Well, I'm very sorry," and another said, "and indeed so am I," and at last one old gentleman quietly remarked, '-Well, how much are you sorry ; I'm sorry £5," —and hewepte that much, too. Now, we have heard much and read much re this battle of the railways* and folks seems sorry that Vaile'e scheme has not had a trial, but how much are they sorry ? Will the individual believers in the feasibility of the scheme come forward at the present juncture and put down a portion of what they believe they will save by its introduction, to makis up the amount wanted ? with the understanding, of course, that if not required, that it bears, say per cent, interest. No more practical test as to the true convictions of the real owners of the railways could be applied either as to the alleged dissatisfaction with the present management or as to their confidence in the chief mover in this agitation, or the scheme of railway reform of which he is the exponent ; and surely if the reductions in charges would be so considerable as represented, those who will derive the most and direct) benefit will have no hesitation in coming forward to back up their opinions with their purse; if they do not, let them for ever after hold their peace. For instance, take season ticket arrangements, and supposing for a given distance the annual ticket is reduced from £S to £6, and the issue ot same to be at the same rate per month as per year, those who have now to pay aboaf 100 per cent, because of either poverty or inconvenience would save that amount? under the new order of things, and could afford to put down that amount (£6) towards the required security for trying the experiment. Six thousand seven hundred such would in one year pay the whole of it. Some are, I understand, prepared to pufc down as many hundreds. I hope this practical side of the matter will nob be losU sight of at the Chamber of Commerce meeting to-day, at three o'clock, as mere talk is not of much value just now ; and further, that a public meeting will be summoned by His Worship the Mayor to consider the matter, when we should then see how far the folks are in earnest, and if not, let na have a rest.—l am, &c, John Mitchell.