Signed at Last!

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6308, 4 August 1888, Page 3

Signed at Last !

Tbx last stages of the Midland Eailway business ara a remarkable contrast to the fiest. For a. long time the differences seem insurmountable. Then diplomacy, seasonable concession, and mutual agreement make the contract appear within the range of possibility. At length there ia only one real difference. The difference gets down to a question o£ running powers; one day the Company makea a proposal; the nezt day the Government aays "No;" the day after the Government makes a proposal; and the day following the Company says "Yea." The whole business is done by cable to everybody's satisfaction, though in the earlier Btages doing anything by cable bnt wrangling was deolared to be quite impossible. Finally, to-day oomes the glad newß that the contract is really signed Finis coronal opus. This hand of oura took its part in digging the foundations of that project. We have no fear that when the stately bnilding striding over the Great Divide embraces in itß vigorous arms the two aides of the island, the results will not he fonnd even grander than we predicted when we asked the people to follow us into the trench where we were digging the foundation. A great time is at hand. Hope springs again, and another bright gleam pierces tiie gloomy curtain of depression that for so long seemed impenetrable.