THE RIVAL ROUTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3567, 20 October 1898, Page 2

THE RIVAL ROUTES.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER, Messrs Sheraand Cheal, delegates from Auckland, accompanied by several Northern members of Parliament, and introduced by Sir Maurice O’Rorke. waited on the Premier last evening. Mr Shera, in urging upon Mr Seddon the virtues of the Stratford route, said the Auckland people wore prepared to uphold the Government in a borrowing policy to enable a main trunk line to be built, and in conversation with Taranaki residents on his way down he had come to the conclusion that they would do likewise. Mr Cheal. in the course of a long speech, pointed out that Auckland, which provided a quarter of the consolidated revenue, was enduring a miserable isolation. He contended that the route via Stratford would be cheaper in construction, pay better interest on expenditure, open up more and better country, and cost loss for maintenance than the central route, and would besides tap a coal mine, assist the dairy industry, foster settlement, and open up new timber areas.

The Premier said statements had been made by this and previous deputations as to the relative values and potentialities of the proposed routes. It was now for the Government to satisfy itself with regard to the matter. The absolute location of either line had not yet been made, and it would be impossible to arrive at the approximate cost of construction until this had been done. The Government would have to take into consideration the quality and quantity of the land tapped by the railway before coming to a final decision, aud it had no information on those points yet. Then came the question of the probabilities of the lino paying. If the contentions of the deputation as to the value of the land was correct, that the whole length would bo suitable for close settlement, that would go a long way in favour of what they were contending for—-(hear, hears) —but that was a matter about which the Government must obtain information. The representations of the deputation would have the effect of causing the Government to try and gat that information, at the earliest possible time. In the meantime connecting sections of the railway would be gone on with with tho money which Parliamenthadalready placed at their disposal. After the Government had obtained reports as to the respective routes. Parliament would be called upon to judge between the contending parties and the contending schemes. Ho advised Messrs Shera and Cheal to return home by the Stratford route, so that on their return the Auckland people would have the full advantage of their personal experiences. (Laughter.) Mr Cheal asked if the Government would employ somebody outside the department who was well acquainted with land values, &0., to report to the Government on this matter. The Premier said there was no necessity to cast a reflection on the officers of the department. The investigation would be made by trustworthy persons, as a matter of such importance should be.