THE RIGHT WAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10410, 7 April 1897, Page 6

THE RIGHT WAY.

10 THE EDITOB. Sib,— During the railway boom in New Zealand, and whilst a line from Canterbury to Southland via Otago was being decided on, it came on to be seriously discussed as to a lineof railway from Wellington to Auckland. Southern members of the House, and merchants and gentry of Dunedin and Canterbury, particularly inquired which is the best way; surveyors were set to work exploring and examining, and reported in favour of the central route, from Jlarton via north-east of the top of the Wunganui river, on to Te Awamutu. Committee, consisting of South men, concurred; and forthwith one million cash was obtained, expressly and exclusively for it. Then some Aucklanders objected, wanting to connect immediately with Taranaki, but that being out of course some 50 miles, was deemed out of the question; then a dispute, and a halt; and a suspension. Then diverting the approprmtinn, and frittering away the money • to-day only a trifle of it left; and, worse and' worse, 11 or 12 years lost. Mow, chief surveyor scoffs at the 50 miles divergence as an absurd proposal, and the 150 miles present gap alleged to be nearly impracticable by rivers, swamps, mountains, and gullies. Now, I think we should unanimously urge the straight line via Taupoat any cost; to go on without any further loss of "dm., I see the matter has been touched lately by several writers. Good. Put it forward.-I am. etc., W.E S * Ponsonby, April 6,1897.