WAIPARA TO CHEVIOT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7435, 23 June 1902, Page 2

WAIPARA TO CHEVIOT.

The meeting called by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, on Friday evening, to consider the present position of the Wad-para-Cheviot Railway must have surpassed the expectations of its originators. It was large, it was enthusiastic, and it gave plenty of evidence of a determination to get the railway completed as speedily as possible. We hope that its determination will bear the fruit that is desired. As wo said when we referred to the subject a few days ago there can be no question concerning the need for railway communication between Christchurch. and Blenheim. To Canterbury the connection of Waipara with Cheviot is, perhaps, of more 'immediate importance than the com.pletion of the test of the line, but there can be no doubt that to the colony as a whole^ the extension of fhe line to Starborough is a matter of /^considerable moment. The latter is a national work, which is bound *to reflect prosperity on the whole country. But in default of the line being pushed on to Blenheim "the completion of the Waipara-Cheviofe section ought to be effected with as little delay as possible. The connection of Cheviot with its thriving settlers and its accompanying areas of bountiful land wi6h Ohristchurch would be of incalculable benefit hot only to the settlers themselves but also to the city, and in, fact to the whole province. It is a consummation which is so devoutly to be desired that the people of Canterbury will be justified in. Exerting every legitimate means that they can devise to attain it. One (speaker at Friday's meeting advocated a political agitation, and although we jare not as a rule inclined to favour a policy of clamour, we cannot help thinking, Under the circumstances, that sitfd*- «, course would 'be justifiable.