THE PICTON AND BLENHEIM RAILWAY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3346, 15 November 1871, Page 3

THE PICTON AND BLENHEIM RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE INDEPENDENT. Sir, — In reading this morning in the " Independent" the report of the proceedings of the House of Representatives yesterday, I was struck with the (reported) persistent remarks of some ef the hon members to the effect that any members who opposed the Government would get no assistance towards carrying out public works in their districts. I likewise observed that the Hon the Minister of Public Works assured the hon member for Picton that the Blenheim to Picton railway would desei v. 1 a preference, and bo gone on with as soon as possible. Truth compels me to state Unit if the accusations were correct, the Hon the Minister of Public Works could hardly have greater justification in carrying them into practice than in the case of the railway mentioned, for of the large deputation (upwards of twenty gentlemen, I believe) who waited upon that Minister early in the s-ssion, and most of whom a few days ago signed a letter in addition in favor of the work to the same Minister, I am not aware that, with the exception of the hon member for the Wairau, Mr Eyes, the Government had among them a single supporter, while many were extreme opponents, out of the lar^e number referred to in either branch of tho Legislature. Having felt much interest in regard of the railway, my fears were lest, as a matter of provoked retaliation, it should be left out in the cold. Leaving your readers to draw de- I ductions,— l am, &c, A Visitor from Mareborough. Wellington, 14th November, 1871.