GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS ACT, 1887.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9264, 18 January 1889, Page 3

GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS ACT, 1887.

TO THK EDITOR. Sue, —In a leader in this morning's Herald, I read the following sentence :— "The Commissioners from the moment of their creation, become a corporation with-a common seal, and possessed of all the railways, rolling-stock, and buildings." No doubt, it is intended by the Act that) they shall be, but there is, I think, some doubi as to whether the" Commissioners are yet) possessed of the railways. Section 3Of the above Act reads as follows:—"So mnch only of this Act as empowers the Governor-in-Council to appoint Railway Commissioners, declares their tenure of office, and provides their salaries, shall come into force on the passin" of the Act." " The whole Acb shall be and come into force on a day to be proclaimed by the Governor and published in the Gazette, which day shall, except as before provided, for all purposes be deemed to be the commencement of this Act." From this it appears that until the Governor's proclamation is published in the Gazette, the Commissioners, although appointed, cannot take possession or proceed to exercise their powers. As it is intended some action should be taken by the Chamber of Commerce, and a public meeting called, to be presided over by the Mayor, perhaps you will oblige myself and others by inserting these few lines.—l am, etc., January 17th, 18S9. R.J.D.