THE RAILWAY SURVEYS.

Woodville Examiner, Volume 1, Issue 43, 5 February 1884, Page 3

THE RAILWAY SURVEYS.

MM SMITH’S INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS. Having loft hero by coach on Thursday morning, Mr W. C. Smith, M.H.R., reached Wellington that night. Returning to Woodvillo hy last night’s coach. He informs us that owing to Friday being race day and a close holiday he was unable to interview the Minister for Public Works on that day, but early ou Saturday he waited on him with the resolutions passed at the indignation meeting held on Wednesday night last. After carefully going through them the Minister admitted that they were very reasonable and said that lie would, as far as possible give effect to them. In reference to the removal of the Engineer ho stated that it was never intended that Mr Carr should close the Public Works Office here ; and that he will send Mr Holmes back in a.short tune, and if not Mr Holmes, that he will send another Engineer in his place as soon as one is available. The office here will be re-opened and the survey of the line recommenced and the estimates prepared for tender between Tahoraile and Woodville. Immediately the estimates fur the coining year are passed he will call lor lenders for the formation of the whole line belwi’Cii tile two places. The money for the work being on the loan schedule, all lint was voted hy the House will he absoi’bi I in finishing the line at the Tahoraito end, and directly the Minister can get a Note ho will complete it at the Woodvillo end. In reference to the opening of the lino to Matamau the Minister replied that lie is having the rails laid on the lino between Makatoku and Matamau, and as soon as this work is finished he will run a mid-day train to Matamau at which a small station, included in the Tahoraito buildings contract, just advertised, will ho erected. This in itself will be a groat '■dvnntatrc, saving as it docs nine miles of > tho lino between i aitc, •^’■nment , er 1 u raj ' w c . lg I ”, ’ ' ■ i i , • ...... i 11l soon us tho work is advanced. The Engineer will bo Woodvillo within six weeks so as to ha\u the work ready for laying before the House when it meets. We think the result of Mr Smith’s visit is very satisfactory and these promises once so definitely made Mr Smith is not tho man to allow tho Government to shrink from fulfilling their engagements. The Minister evidently recognises tho necessity of the works, and we have no doubt that ho will now push them on as promised.