The Evening Herald. MONDAY, FEB. 20, 1871.

Wanganui Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1097, 20 February 1871, Page 2

The Evening Herald. MONDAY, FEB. 20, 1871.

The railway prospects of this district were one year ago very remote, indeed had hardly any other existence than in the fervid imaginations of one or two enthusiasts. "What was then in nubibus is to-day so real and hard a fact that the surveyors are at work laying off a line which will, when completed, bring the steam horse past our doors. So rapidly have the prospects -changed, thac we now view a 1 ail way as a matter of course, and have come to the orthodox conclusion that there is nothing like railways under the sun. We have even heard the site for a rail way station named, although we have our doubts about the Market-place on account of Judge Johnston's objection to extra-mural •sounds. However this may be, we are likely to have a railway soon, when the station will follow, and the :site is quite a minor matter. It will be remembered that there was a good deal of indignation last session at the Wairarap'a and Wanganui railway being put in the second schedule of the Act. "We then pointed out that ■the matter was immaterial, as the Assembly could not authorise the railway until the preliminary surveys had been made, and these would be completed as soon as the money or guarantee was ready. Authority will be asked, by means of a bill, to •construct the railway, and. it is now a recognised fact that the Government will be able to command a -majority, and that to ask the Assembly will be to receive. A few years' peace will permit of railways being (constructed through all parts of the island, when rebellion will no longer be within the limits of possibility. "We tnink we could not find a more honorable title for the enterprising men who at present hold the reins of power than the Railway Ministry.