THE LAWRENCE-ROXBURGH RAILWAY. Wellington, May 6.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 24

THE LAWRENCE-ROXBURGH RAILWAY. Wellington, May 6.

A deputation of Teviot fruit-growers waited on the Minister for Works, to inquire whfttfeer there was any probability of the Government continuing the railway line from Lawrence to Roxburgh, which, they pointed out, would save them 40 miles of road" cartage for fruit, and tuduco many more to go in for fruit-growing if the line were constructed within a reasonable period. The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones replied that tbe matter would be gone into when tbe Public Workft Estimates c&me up for consideration. He recognised the importance of ths industry they represented, and would favourably recommend the application to the Cabinet;. He added that the line was under survey at the present time, but tb>t the Government bad not yet received a report as to the alternate routes via Heriot aud Lawrence. The deputation subsequently interviewed the Minister foe Railways in regard to the ssnia matter,' and also expressed their satisfaction with the reduction tbat had keen made iv the charges for fruit carriage. Before that alteration they had simply tnade a I bare subsistence, and vow they had bean able to save enough, money to attend the Fruitgjcowera' Conference in Wellington. Tha Hon. Mr Cadman, in reply, said that the question wsi one of £s. d. The Government were expected to construct railways, go on with public works, and yet borrow no more money and not increase the taxation. If the deputation could solve that difficulty foe them the Government would settle this question of the Teriot railway immediately.