The Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1869.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 497, 21 December 1869, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1869.

" / will lose no time in tailing the necessary steps for the initiation oj the public works you have determined upoyi." So spake his Honor the Superintendent, when proroguing the Council on the second of November last. We should like to know what meaning was attached to these words by the speaker and hia audience, and what the public thought of them at the time. We must admit that we were weak enough to imagine that they were spoken without reservation. We thought that though Mr Rolleston had been forced to give up his pet idea of appropriating the balance of the loan to the Southern Railway, he had made up his iniud to accept his defeat in a proper constitutional spirit and set _ himself to work to fulfil the repeatedly expressed wishes of the people's representatives. The experience of the last seven weeks has materially modified ©ur views. The public will remember that the Council during last session voted certain sums of money for the construction of a railway to the North, and a tramway in the Leeston district. They declined to divide the comparatively small sum that was available, by diverting a part of it to continuing the Southern Railway beyond the Selwyn, .as the Governmeut proposed. They <!id this because they recognised the justice aud propriety of fulfilling an eft-repeated promise to construct a railway to the North. There could be no • siistake as fco the intention of the Council upon this poiut. They affirmed most wumistakeably their intention of baring a railway made to the North. So clear -and etrong was their determination, that the Government gave way and accepted the proposal. This acceptance was ratified by the Superintendent when, in proroguing the Council he used the words which commence thi* article. Mr Rolleston stated in effect that he would lose no time in commencing ihe Northern JRailway and the Tramway io Leeston. Seven weeks have since elapsed, aud what lias been done ? With regard to the Northern Railway, an advertisement has been issued which is calculated, as far as it goes, to throw ridicule upon the whole affair, so vague , and unbusiness like are its terms. Beyond this, as far as the public know, all that has been done is to send a geutleman along oue of tho routes proposed for the line, to enquire of the proprietors what they would ask for their land, if ib should be required for railway purposes. We have heard it stated that this gentleman was sent out iv the first instance, without proper credentials, and with the most, imperfect means of obtaining the : required information. Ifc is. stated, moreover, that he failed in his mission, ' aud was treated in some cases rather ignominiously for. a representative of Government. We believe he has since received his credentials, and is now engaged in obtaining further information. -, Bey oud this most meagre effort, we are not aware that anything has been - done. We hope we are mistaken, bufc we believe this is the sum and substance of what the Government has «!oiie during tho last two months forwards making a railway to the North. The Leeaton Tramway is much, in •-the same position. Apparently,- the Executive cannot make up their minds where tho Hue .is to run, or whether ifc is to be a tramway or railway. Advertisements nearly as vague as those for the railway, have appeared asking ,Soy tenders. Tlio day appointed for their reception has passed, and nothing whatever has been hoard about them. Such, as far as the public knows, is the position of the railway and tramway, nearly two mouths after the close of the session. The money has been appropriated, the Executive have declared that tiiey will lose no time in commencing Ye work, and yet nothing more than this has been dove What can be; (lie reason? Is the Go vernment iuc-.pahleor unwilling ? We are inclined f o think that both

elements enter into tbe question. Our experience of the present Government, inclines us to think that they are nofc equal to the task of initiating such a work as a railway to the North. Certainly they have not shewn any signs of possessing the capacity required for the work. It may be there, hidden away somewhere, but it has never yet come out. Moreover, we confess to suspecting them of a want of inclination. The Superintendent leans strongly towards constructing the Southern Railway, and is surrounded by advisers iv and out of office whose interests and predilections tend entirely in that direction. We should be loth to accuse him of such an unconstitutional proceeding as that of offering a passive dogged resistance to the expressed wishes of the Council, and so defeating the dictum of the people. Because, if Mr Rolleston is adopting this policy, the only possible cure is for the people to elect some one else who will postpone his own views to theirs, and work out the latter with a hearty good will. Under the present system nothing but evil can possibly ensue.