THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 38

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

The Midland Railway Directors, we said the other day, were sensible men. They have proved the correctness of that view by offering to take L 850,000 for their land grants. It is true they have attached the condition that the Colony must buy their lines, constructed and in progress. But that being an obviously, im. possible condition, they must be regarded as having made it more for effect than for anything else. An extension of the contract time having been recommended by the Parliamentary Committee last year, is not, of course, one of the impossibilities of the situation. The line has first rate prospects, by reason of the large through traffic which it has every reason to expect.. The company has failed to cope with the difficulties of its land grant, and for many reasons should be relieved of that grant at a fair price. That relief should make for the company the difference between a possible and an impossible finance. If the company is wise it will accept the offer of the Government, which its manager took Home with him, without aßkipg for impossible conditions. In other words, if the company is wise the company will do' well, and the Colony will get the advantage of a grand addition to its railway system. The Colony on its side will find settlers to clear the forest and make the lands productive while the railway is making.