CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4174, 5 July 1875, Page 7

CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAYS.

An influential deputation, consisting of Messrs H. Dri\er, M.P.C., M'Ncill, E. P. Cargiil, Teweley, Nichols, and Whitelaw, had an interview with the Superintendent on .Wednesday regarding the coustrudt:on of railways. Mr Diuykr stated that it had co re. to .the knowledge of several leading merchants and others, in Dunedin, interested in the progress of the place and the couutry, that several sections of the main trunk lines, both north and south, were beiug neglected, or hungup, ia the meantime, for various reasons. He iustanced the Southland line, which was-near completion as far as BJclutha One section between Mataura and Popotuuoawas lot, but, owing to some disputes or rivalry as to where the line should run between Clinton and Balclulha, the surveys had not been completed by the General Government, who had altowed the matter to hang up until the disputes were settled. He thought His Honour would see that it was of great importance that the south line, almost as much as the northern line, should be pushed on, so that it could be opened right through. There was no complaint as to the southern Hue except as to the i ortion between Clinton and the Clufcha. With regard to the Northern line, some gentlemen had beeu at considerable trouble to make enquiries in reference to it, and found that it wan in a good deal the same position aa the Southern one. From Sawyer's Bay to Blueskin contracts were let and were progressing; from -Blucskin to Waikouaiti was surveyed, but not let; but from Waikouaiti to Palmerston was neither surveyed, nor had anything at all been done in reference to .that section. Now, it was of the greatest importance that the whole sections should be opened, if, they hoped to keep up the Northern trade, as it waa known that the Canterbury people were forcing their lines down' South as fast as possible. They brought this matter before His Honour in the hope t^at he would use his position as Superintendent with the General Government to have the sections referred to gone on with, instead oi being hung up until disputes were settled. His llo'so'ur : Of course you are aware that although the lines are being constructed at the expense of the Province, their construction is entirely in the, hands of the General Government. .

Mr Driver, said the deputation was aware of the fact, but they thought t> at IJis Honour might'bring his influence to bt-ar with the Provincial Government, who had always shown a desire to meet his views in this matter. . . .. .

Hia Honour : So far as I understand, the General Government are quite alive to the necessity and importance of pushing on these works, and I believe they are doing the best they can under the circumstances. Of course they have got an enormous quantity of work to attend to from oiie end of the Colony to the other, and I think they are doing the beat th?y can ; at least they inform me so. I have repeatedly expressed my desire upon the subject. With regard to the portion of the southern line between Clutha and Clinton, there has been a good deal of correspondence about a deviation btyoiid Waitepeka. Some time ago the settlers down there at a public meeting got up a standing committee which sent mo a latter urging me to request the General Government to suspend operations until the meeting of the Assembly, but that I declined to do because I did nofc think it would be policy to give the General Government a peg to hang their delays upon. I had a letter t'roiii Wellington a fortnight ago from which I understand that the Government had definitely fixed upon the line, so that there need not be any delay upon that score. The line is to be made as originally surveyed. Mr Driver thought it a monstrous thing that; because Wie settlers at Waitepeka wanted the line brought a little nearer to their properties entire communication between the Provinces should be stopped.

His Honour: I think the Waitepeka people were quite right. Going by way of Waitepeka need not nave involved any delay, that was the roule originally surveyed by Mr Brunton. 1 myself, and in fact every Government that has been working with me for tho last four years, has been quite alive to the necessity of every euergy in this matter; and 1 have communicated repeatedly both by letter and verbally with tho General Government. In fact, just before the deputation came in', I was marking off the correspoudencej which shows that the matter

' has not been allowed to sleep so far as the Province is concerned. ■....■ ■ It was'stated by several that it -\voild allay the public mmd if tenders were called for tho j*a[)s. ' . His Honour said that ths interest now being manifested here might spur the Government into greater exertion With regard to the seyeral contracts, the Government had, in so veral instances, oflered bon asses fortheircoinpletiontyithincontracttiine.riowever, he would ommuuic--itetotheGeueral Government the views urged by the deputation. His Honour, to show tne views lie had held upon the subject, rexd the correspondence which had passe I betwe.n hitnselr and the General Government in reference to the railways of the Province, aud dating as far back as IS7L It would do ho harm that the. General Government should see t! at the people here were taking an interest in the matter of railway construction ; but he was not disposed to throw any censure npoa the Government, because works like tliese could not be clone in a day. Mr Diuver observed that,the/deputation did not.come with the view of censurirjg the Government.' They were perfectly well aware of the large nature of the works,'' but other Provinces had been persevering, with greater energy for the completion of thair lines, and it was now thought it was time-for the people of Dune'lio to go in for a share. ''' Mr Caruill observed that another point to he considered wa3, that if these gaps were nst completed in time for the line to be opened right thro-'igh, not only would there lie.a postponement of the advautiges to be derived from railway communication, but its. cost would ivmiin unproductive.

His Hosouk : Ami another important argument is, that on the lines being open interest becomes payable by the Province, so it is for our interest thafc they should be completed as soon as possille, in order to make them pay. lam glad'to see you taking a leaf out of the books'at Invereargtll, where there is a very energetic railway committee.

A fter some further remarks, the def utitioh withdre sr.