MIDLAND BAILWAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4763, 2 October 1893, Page 3

MIDLAND BAILWAY.

[from oub special cobbespondent. I WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. Strong hopes are entertained of a compromise being arrived at on the subject of the modified contract. There is to be a further deputation of Canterbury and Weatland members to the Premier on Monday, to urge upon him the advisability of conceding some percentage on the original value of the lands to be surrendered by the Company. Messrs Reeves, Seddon and others are showing great ac* tivity in this matter, and their efforts deserve to be crowned with success. lam informed that there is a safe majority of two in favour of the Premier's proposals, but some members fear that the Company would not accept those terms, and hold that in justice it ought to receive at least 10 per cent advance on the schedule value of the lands. If this section could win over a few waverers, it would secure the better terms for the Company that are desired * but in any case the division, which is expected to take place onMonday evening, will show a determination on the part of the House to deal fairly and finally with the question. Mr Shera, the Chairman of the Publio Accounts Committee, is inclined to move that the whole question should be hung up for a year, in order that the work should then be bracketed with other railways, for which a loan should be raised, but this is not likely to be carried should it be moved.

[Special to the " Stab"! WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. The New Zealand Times this morning has another article championing the cause of the Midland Railway, It alleges that the debate in the House has shown the complete breakdown of the opposition to the proposed modification of the contract; and it maintains that the exchange of debentures for a land grant will result in immense advantage to the Colony. In its news columns the Times has the following on tfce subject : — " Canterbury members are actively at work concerning the Midland Railway question, and whipping has been going on vigorously during the past two days. The motion of which the Premier gave notice before the debate was adjourned on Friday night is expected to be carried by a substantial majority, as it will probably be accepted by many of those who would otherwise have voted for the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee. The view they hold is tbat it [ will be better to take what Government propose than to run the risk of losing everything. Those who support the claims of the Company feel, however, that the stipulation embodied in the last clause of the Premier's motion, namely, that the Company must show that they are in a position to complete the various railway works will prove entirely fatal to the negotiations, and it is probable that he will be asked to give way upon this point." In consequence of a telegram received on Saturday by the Secretary of the East and West Coast Eailway League, a meeting of the Mayors of Christchurch and the neighbouring Boroughs, together with the Chairmen of local bodies and delegates from the Political and other Associations, will be held this morning, to take steps to further nrge the Premier, by means- of a joint telegram, to be forwarded prior to the meeting of the House of Representatives, to make the acceptance of the recommendations in the Public Accounts Committee's report a Government question. A largely attended and representative meeting of tho Mayors of Christchurch

and suburbs, Chairmen of local bodieß, and representatives of various Associations, industrial and political, was held this morning, at the offices of the Eailway Leagne. Mr Acton-Adams, Chairman of the League, occupied the chair. The following resolution was unanimously i passed and ordered to be telegraphed to ; the Premier and the Canterbury members j at once, so that it might reach tbem I before the measure came on for discussion i in the House : — " Feeling Christchurch ; and district very strong that prospect of 1 securing connection between East aud West Coaßts imperilled by present position of affairs, at a representative meeting held this morning it was resolved to telegraph you Btrongly requesting your support to the report of Public Accounts Committee, or such modification as you can arrange wilh the Company to ensure immediate prosecution of East and West Coast line, and make the matter a Government question. We consider that at present the Nelson extension musi; be postponed." The telegram was signed by the Chairman and Vics-Chairman of the League, the President and Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, the President and Secretary of the Industrial Association, the Secretary of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the President and Secretary of the Canterbury Liberal Association, the Mayor of Christchuroh and the Secretary to the Eailway League. The following telegram ; bas been sent by the Eailway League to the Mayors of Canterbury :— " Large influential representative meeting held this morning, passed unanimously telegram asking Honourable Premier carry in entirety report Public Accounts Committee. Will you please also send him a telegram urging that he accept recommendation of Eailway League; this is of vital importance at this (juncture.— By order, W. Foster j Secretary Eailway League."