[Circular.]

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2611, 19 December 1867, Page 4

[Circular.]

Welliugton, llth Dec, 1867.

Sir, — It may be in your recollection thafc a bill was passed in the Provincial Council of 1866, which subsequently receivod the Governor's assent, and authorised a guavanteed minimum interest on any sum nofc exceeding £300,000, which might be expended on a- railway between Wellington and tho Wairarapa.

This bill was then passed in consequence of evidence given and of an offer made to undertake fcho execution of fcho first eighteen miles, on tho specified guarantee over any oxpondituvo in fcho construction of that length, which did nofc^xceed tho amounfc of £150,000.

My offer included tho obligation on my pavfc to complete a survey of the remaining portion, to any point in the Wairarapa determined on by his Honor the Superintendent, witliin twelve months from the completion of fcho negooiafcion ; with the viow of making a further ofi'ov at fchafc period for any length of railway required beyond the firsb eighteen miles. Mv offer rendered me liablo to a personal and unsecured expenditure in promotion of fcha entire undertaking to the amount of at least £2500.

Afc a subsequent mooting of fche Executive his Honor tho Superintendent stated fco mo, that the Provincial Government did nofc feel, itself ma position afc thafc timo to incur the contemplated liability, bufc that when in a position to do so I should be communicated wifch, in reference to the promise which was then made me in consideration of my action in the mafctor.

A tvaniAvay is iioav projected from Wellington to the Wairarapa, and as long as suoh a means of transit is advocated by its promoters, I do nofc feel it necessary fco interfere with any peculiar viows entertained of the advantages whicii such a means of locomotion may bo stated fco afford. Should howovor tho promoters of a tramway desiro to remodel their proposal, so as to advocate tho moro efficient and modern menus of transit ' which I proposed in 1866 ; I shall thon solicit your supporfc, as having a distinct promise from fche Provincial (iovernmenfc sinco 18S6 with regard to tho guarantee provided, when it shall be in a position to incur the liability ; and as possessing thafc experience whicii is necessary to carry such an undertaking to a successful ißsue. — I remain, sir, &c, R. M. Marchant.