THE RIVERTON RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1383, 1 June 1878, Page 5

THE RIVERTON RAILWAY.

Ominous growls are now beginning to bo heard onall sides at the unsatisfactory progress of the Riverton-Invercargill Railway (says' th© Western Star), and apparently there is £ood reason for the assertion of those "who know you know" that 1878 will have joined" tho majority " before through communication iff established. The question is very easily auked, but difficult to answer, who is to blamo for thi3 state of affairs? The contract time expired some weeks ago, yet only some five or six miles of the permanent vmy are laid, and that bugbear the Oreti Bridge is now as near completion as it was months ago. And now itia reported that the engine and part of the rolling stock intended for this lir.o haa been shipped to the North Island, and the balance has gono down in the Ann Gambles. If this information is correct, it does nob augur well for the early opening of the line, or the sincerity of ministerial promises. Plans havo at last been prepared for station site, &c. The position ia exactly opposite Paddock street. In conneotion with this matter it may bo mentioned that the station shown on the plan is a fifth-class one, and with all due respect to the railway authorities, it does seem almost an insult to propose making such a building do duty aa a station for the traffic which may; reasonably be expected to take place ; and it is to be hoped that a timely remonstrance from the Town Council may have the effect of having a building substituted more in keeping with the importance of the town. Motions condemnatory of the slow progress of the works have been passed by the County Council, Road Board, and Town Council. Those b&ve not had the slightest influence in hastening tho works, and unless a similar agitation is got up to that now existing in Otago against the slow progress of the Balclntha - Clinton section of the Southern trunk railway, we must rest content with our position.