CANTERBURY RAILWAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 688, 6 August 1870, Page 3

CANTERBURY RAILWAYS.

» The following correspondence explains itself :— Christohurch, July 28th, 1870. ' Sir, — The depressed condition of the general commerce of the province, ,and particularly of the agricultural interest, induces ua to believe that immediate steps should be taken by our representatives to avail themselves of the facilities likely to be afforded by the policy of colonization adopted by the Assembly. Your Honor will probably agree with us that the immediate continuation of the Northern railway as far as the Kowai is a matter of the utmost necessity to the large number of struggling farmers situated in the northern part of the province, who labour under exceptional difficulties from the want of communication with a port. . j Your Honor lias already expressed an opinion favourable to proceeding as rapidly as possible with the Southern railway. It is obvious that it is essential to the further settlement of the province in that direction, that this railway should be speedily carried across the Bakaia. Any further delay in the commencement ' and prosecution of these works would be a matter of the deepest regret, and no opportunity should be lost to obtain the necessary assistance to carry them on. If help be not obtained durirg the current session, the long and unnecessary delay of at

least a year must follow to the detriment of every interest in the province. We would therefore urge upon your Honor ( to take immediate steps to obtain a resolution of the Assembly, authorising the province forthwith to carry on these public works out of the loans proposed to be raised by the colony for such purposes. Should this appear to be impracticable, we would respectfully sucrgest that a promise might be obtained from the Executive to recommend the new Parliament that the province should be indemnified for all moneys spent or liabilities incurred in the prosecution of these works. Such a promise would, we believe, justify the Provincial Council at itß ensuing session, in making appropriations for the purpose. We have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, G. Gould E. H. Rhodes B. J. S. Harman J. S. Williams J. Ingl is H. H. Hennah T. M. Haasal F. J. Garrick W. P. Cowlishaw A. Duncan F. Banks W. Beeves W. H. Lane W. Montgomery J. Anderson. To his Honor William Rolleston, Esq., Superintendent of Canterbury.