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Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3376, 20 December 1871, Page 2

Tut: foregoing will inform tho public generally as to the position of affairs between the General Government and Messrs Brogden and Sons, and we may add that although the contract entered upon is only a provisional one, (hero is the fullest probability of its being satisfactorily extended. It will be remembered that the Assembly gave authority to the Government to enter into a contract with Messrs Brogden to the extent of one million, and the understanding was that plans and estimates of works to that extent should be submitted to the linn in question before their beingcalled upon to tender. As matters really stand the.so full plans and estimates aro not ready nor are likely to be for some time, but Messrs Brogden are (we are informed) willing to meet the Government and at once commence tho works included in the seLeclnle to tlie Rail ways 13H1 of last session on their being paid ten per cent, profit on the outlay. They may not be in a position to enter upon the full work of construction at once, but they are ready to make a commencement of any of the works if they can come to an arrangement with the Government. Pending the pro-partition of the necessary plann and estimates, it is agreed that Messrs Brogden shall begin at once at various points, amongst others with the commencement of the line from Wellington to Masterton, the surveys of

which are to be immediately undertaken. Tho Picton and Blenheim railway is in a condition to be contracted for in a few days. The plans of tho lines from Clutha to Dunedin and from Imercavgill to Mataura are now being prepared, also those for tho Selwyn and Rakaia line. Mr Bell (one of Messrs Brogden's engineers) is now at Napier collecting necessary information, and examining the line from thence to Ruataniwha. The Government En-gineer-in-Chief is, we learn, going to Auckland as soon as possible, to arrange for the commencement of works in that quarter. Should the Government and Messrs Brogden fail to agree eventually as to the million contract, Messrs Brogden will, we understand, receive 10 per cent, on the work done under the present agreement, and No, 2 Contract will be fallen back upon.