THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK LINE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1316, 3 November 1885, Page 2

THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK LINE.

Auckland, Last NightIn his telegram to the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, re proposed seiz ure of the million loan for general purposes, Sir Julius Vogel asserted he knew Major Atkinson was fully aware that the passing of Captain Russell's motion m*>ant the taking of the million loan for general purposes The Herald telegraphed to Major Atkinson to know if snob was the fact,, and received the following answer t “Nbw Plymouth, Saturday. “ Am living in the country, and only reolved yonr telegram yesterday. Have not seen Sir J. Vogel’s telegram to which yon refer, so am at a disadvantage in giving information you want. I know nothing which would compel Government to spend North Island Trank loan for general purposes. There was, in rocnd numbers, L 2,050,000 to credit Public Works Fund «n March 1 last, and Minister Public Works stated in House more than once Government intended to limit expenditure this year to about or less than that amonnt, so that if this promise kept there will be hand end present year L 600.000 or L 600.000 without charging anything against North Island Railway Loan, except expenditure on Central line for which it was raised. There is no justification in my opinion for touching upon loan in question in any way for general purposes, nor can I believe Government will commit such a breach of faith with Parliament as to do so.— H. A Atkinson.”

The Premier’s Reply.

Wellington, Last Night. The following telegram was forwarded by the Premier to the Chairman of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce ; “ Wellington, November 2. “ I am in receipt of yonr telegram conveying resolutions passed at Chamber of Commerce. As desired, I shall submit them to Cabinet. Meantime you will allow me to point out that the special allocations made for railways in 1882 in the New Zealand Loan Act, at the time the North Island Railway loan was authorised have not been kept. The three million loan has been expended, and the special allocations for the following, amongst other railways, have been only partially expended. There is due to the Otago Central about L 206,000; about L 93,000 to the Greymouth-Reef ton ; to the Napier Woodville about L 106.200, etc, and to fulfil the solemn engagements made in The Loan Act of 1882, Government propose! votes; but these were defeated, and mainly by the members who join yon in protesting. Yon will ala > pardon me stating that onr proposals regarding railways for the Auckland Provincial district were more liberal than had ever been proposed, inclndlng not only a vigorous pro vacation of the Northern Trank line, bat also the extension of the line from Helenville, etc. As to floating the one million loan, we will have to meet at least L 150,000 at the end of the financial year to pay contracts on the Northern Trunk I line, and from what are we to take the I money—from other lines? I can assure you I that whatever is done good faith will be I kept, for the prosecution of the line we I believe to be a work of urgent necessity, I and I think our past actions sufficiently I show that. lam bound to say, however, I that oar efforts for railway extension in I Auckland did not seem to meet with much I support from those from whom the AuckI land district might have expected sym* I patby.—Robbbt Stout.’’ I The Colonial Treasurer has also reI plied in similar terms.