MIDLAND RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5669, 17 August 1905, Page 6

MIDLAND RAILWAY.

PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, August 16. At the annual meeting of the Sheepowners’ Union a motion that no action be taken respecting the appointment of representatives of the union on a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce regarding speedier completion of th ' Midland Eailwav, was opposed by Sir John Hall, who said he hod had something to do with tho West Coast Railway, and was sincerely of opinion that its completion would be of great benefit to Canterbury and the West Coast. He had recently been over the whole line far as it had been, constructed, and felt satisfied that it was no use pushing on the railway to eneb end of the tunnel unless tho tunnel itself was gone on -with. If the railway was to be completed, the first step to be taken should be that of constructing the tunnel, and the best way of doing that would be by letting a contract for the work. He would move as an amendment —“That it is desirable that the completion of the West Coast Railway should be proceeded with, and that the" construction of the tunnel should be carried out by contract/’ In reply to objections that the line would not pay. Sir John Hall pointed out that if the work was not gone on with an enormous amount of money would be absolutely wasted. One speaker said the only argument that could bo brought forward in support of the completion of tho line was that as so much money had been spent on the line more should be spent, in order to complete it. He considered that was a ridiculous argument. The amendment was lost, and the motion agreed to.