THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1873. THE WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Colonist, Volume XVI, Issue 1664, 29 August 1873, Page 2

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1873. THE WEST COAST RAILWAY.

It will be highly satisfactory to the people of this Pro vines tD learn that the Premier intends " inserting a clause in the ■Railway Bill of this session, authorising the Government to make a working survey of the "West Coast' railway." If this is done, it will be a substantial proof of the sincerity of Mr. ypgel with respect to this much talked of and needed work.

Through the courtesy of his Honor the Superintendent we received by telegraph last night, the following correspondence that has taken place on the subject between his Honor and the Premier:— i

The Premier to the Superintendent. Wellington, Angust 27.

Sir, —I have the honor to convey to you in writing an aniwer to the representations made by you and the deputation which accompanied you at bur interview this morning. The Government will ask the Assembly to authorise the construction of the line between Fox Hill and the Brunner as part of the main line through the Middle loland, subject to future votes being taken for the necessary cost. The Government on the following grounds will, not ask for an appropriation this.session:— .:.. 1. They are not in a position to give adequate information. The Provincial Government have only signified within the last three or four months their willingness to become responsible for the cost of the railway. The General Government at once instituted inquiries, and it appears to them unreasonable that the Provincial Executive, which took so long a time to make up its mind to ask for the railway on the condition of responsibility, Bhould how complain because the General Government, while moving the Assembly to authorise the work, do not .deem it advisable, in the absenoe of more detailed information, to invite an appropriation. 2. No delay will arise through not seeking an appropriation this session. The line is already proceeding at each end, and nothing but a survey could be made during the present year. The Government will seek authority to make a working survey, with the objeot of asking next year for an appropriation for some portion of the line. I have lurther the honor to Bay that the Government will recommend the Assembly to accept the general liability of the Province, without the specific security of.the land, proposed to be placed at the disposal of the Colony. The land will, therefore, continue to be subject to Provincial administration. lam,&c, JXTHTTS YoOtSL. The Superintendent to the Pbbmieb. Wellington, August 28. - Sir,—l have the'honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date. I greatly regret that the Government have decided. not to ask Parliament for an appropriation of funds' for the construction of any portion of the railway between Fox Hill and Brunnerton during the present session. At the same time, I have to thank the Government for undertaking to ask the Assembly to authorise the construction of the line between Fox Hill and Brunner as part of the main line through (he Middle Island, subject to future votes being taken for the' necessary cost, and to seek authority to make a working survey with tbe object of asking next year for an appropriation for the same portion of the line. I may however, be permitted to remind you. that the Government have already, under the Railways Act, 1870, full and express authority to enter into contracts for the construction of the entire lino, restricted only by there being no money appropriation made by Parliament for the purpose. I am the more desirous to bring this fact to the .recollection of the Government, as the terms in which you speak of the want of adequate information, would almsst lead to the inference that the subject had scarcely been under the consideration of the Government or of Parliament until recently. Your remark that the "Provincial Executive took so long a time to make up its mind to ask for (he railway on the condition of responsibility," refers, I conclude, to the long period of delay which occurred between the appropriation for the first 20 miles of the line by Parliament and tbe commencement of its construction by the Government. During this i interval the Provincial Executive certainly thought iit would be useless to ask the Government to obtain appropriation for a further portion. ' Within a very few weeks after Government had-entered into contract for the formation of the first portion of the line to Fox Hill, application was made to the Government to ask for an appropriation for the remainder of tbe line during the present session, and after the cordial manner in which that application was responded to by the Government, I think it cannot be, a matter for surprise that the limited action to' which the Government have decided to confine their selves during the present session should give rise to feelings of great 'disappointment. The Provincial Executive did not, it is true, think it necessary in the first instance to offor to the Colony, security both over land, to the extent of 10,000 acres per mile, and upon the Provincial revenues. In this view it appears from' the last paragraph of the letter before me that the Colonial Government now concur. I cannot conclude this letter without acknowledging tbe courtesy with whioh the representations of the members for the Province have been invariably received by yourself and the other member! of the Government.' I am, <fee, Oswaxd Ctjbtis.