THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1204, 29 March 1895, Page 34

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Sir Chas. Lilley, ex-Chief Justice of Queensland, having been asked by the NewZealand Government to act as their arbitrator in respect of the claim made by the Midland Railway Company, has signified his •willingness to act, and has been duly appointed by the Government. The arbitrator for the Company is exChief Justice Burnside, of Ceylon. He is at present in the Colony along with Mr Thos Salt (chairman of the Company). It is anticipated that the arbitrators will enter upon their duties early in April. We learn that the conduct of the case for the Government will be in the hands of the Attorney-General and the SolicitorGeneral, with whom Mr Gully will act. We understand that Sir Robert Stout has responded to the proposal of the Government that he should act as senior counsel, for the Crown in the Midland Railway i cause by pointing out that as a member of the Legislature he would not be justified in accepting professional fees for such service. He has, however, expressed his willingness to act in the interests of the country withoiit fee or charge of any kind. This offer will no doubt be accepted with fitting acknowledgment by the Premier, and two distinguished gentlemen, who unfortunately are not always in accord, may be congratulated upon the satisfactory conclusion of an agreement that will be warmly welcomed by the entire community. Reefton, March 23. A party consisting of Mr G. Hutchison, M.H.R., and Mrs Hutchison, Messrs Salt, Burnside, iunr., Wilson, Dalston, Young, Anderson, Wallace, Mr and Mrs Birchall reached Reefton this evening by special train from Greymouth. They arrived at 3.30, and left at 5 p.m. for Jackson's. They proceed to Christchurch to-morrow. The visit was in connection with the Midland Railway dispute.