THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1895. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2549, 29 June 1895, Page 2

THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY).

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1895. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

With which are incorporated the Wellington Independent, established 1845, and the New Zealander .

We publish in another column important information from which it appears that the Midland Railway extension is placed by the Government on the same footing as all the other railway works in the Colony ; neither more nor less ; with this exception, that the Company is liable to refund the money (.£5000) expended. The Government, in fact, advances the money to the Company subject to repayment under the provisions of the Railways Construction and Land Act. The money is to be expended in constructing the first mile on the road eastwards from Jackson’s towards the Otira Gorge. This is the least expensive portion of the line which remains to bo constructed. The expenditure moreover will secure this advantage, it will bring Christchurch within an easy day’s journey of the west coast of the South Island ; and make the passage certain because it will avoid all the western rivers, the most formidable one remaining now being the Otira. It will be interesting to the public to know that the Government is in possession of a com-

plete set of the Company’s plans and specifications for the whole of the route from Jackson’s to the Bealey. When the exports, Messrs Maxwell and Higginson, were appointed to enquire into and report upon the Company’s application for the authorisation of the Abt incline, they found it necessary to ask for the production of these plans, as well as for the plans and specifications of the proposed Abt variations, in order to enable them to get an adequate understanding of the position. It was thought advisable for the sake of future reference to take conies of nil those

lubure reierouuo so raxe copies or au tnese plans and specifications, which was fortunate, as the Government is thus enabled, as soon as the work is authorised by Parliament, to proceed promptly, and on the lines laid down by the Company. There will, therefore, be no hardship to the Company in consequence of any alteration of the plans, and there will bo no difficulty in arranging the necessary adjustments. So much for the proposal to extend the line eastward. The Government propose also, we observe, to get some work done at the Nelson end of the line. They propose to make the per-manent-way between Belgrove and Motupiko. This will be hailed with general satisfaction, as, first, the line thus completed will, be a great convenience to the settlers in the Tadmor Valley, and bring Reefton within a day’s journey of Belgrove; and, second, as no less than £66,000 has been already spent on the tunnels and formation, that expenditure must remain unproductive until the completion of the permanent way. The decision of the Government to complete that permanent way will therefore bo hailed with general satisfaction. The Government, it will bo conceded generally, has at an early period of the session taken the House into .its confidence, and asked for a ratification of what it was compelled to do, viz,, to take over the lino, a proceeding which was justified by the best obtainable authority. The action of the Government towards the Company has been most considerate throughout. The Company has had concession after concession, and it was only on the strongest compulsion that the Government has taken an extreme step to protect the interest of the Colony. This is in strong contrast to the conduct of the Company, which has actually asked the Committee of the Stock Exchange to stop the quotations of the 3 per cent. loan. In his communication (cabled to the Government) confirming this news published a few days ago by the newspapers, the Agent-General reports that be replied to the Company’s communication to that effect, that the matter was sub judice, and that "consequently it was inexpedient and impracticable for the Committee of the Stock Exchange to interfere.” His reply wound up by stating that he had no fear that the Company could ever succeed with such a monstrous demand. There the 1 Agent-General will have all Now Zealand with him.