The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1887. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1726, 28 December 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1887. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

The news that the amended Midland Railway contract is deemed satisfactory by the Company, that ihe works will now be prosecuted most vigorously and a commencement made at ihe Springfield end without delay, will, we feel sure, prove most welcome to the settlers generally, and mora especially to those of the provincial districts more directly interested m the construction of the line. It will be gratifying to them to know* tint ihe railway upon which ihey have set their hearts and fcr which they have toiled and struggled ard made sarcificts for many long years is at last assured. V\ c know there are some who, influenced by various motives, have opposed the line persistently, but these are a very small minority. There can be no doubt that the Select Committee appointed to consider the matter arrived at a wise decision m recommending the Government to pass an amended contract, and we give the Government every credit for having so zealously and cordially given effect to that recommendation. Whether the railway will achieve all the great things predicted of it, of course remains to be seen, but we think there can be no question that by opening up a market (or agricultural produce, it will greatly benefit the farmers of Canterbury and the other districts through which the line will pass. This, however, will be a work of time, but this will afford them opportunity for making all due preparation for turning their attention to, what we believe to be, a far more profitable system of utilising their land th. n growing wheat— dairying. There is always a good demand on the West Coast for first-class articles of dairy produce, and these invariably command high prices. There is, however, one immediate benefit which may reasonably be expected. The location of some hundreds of men at Springfield canno', we think, fail to have an influence on the business ard trade of the various centres of population. We know that the business men ot Cbristchurch were very much disappointed when they learned that the Company had decided not to commence operations at both ends simultaneously, for this very reason. We trust that they will soon have what they have long wished for and we congTa\u\a\e \hem and vhe settlers generally en improved prospects. 'J hese come very opportuniely at jiycus Chrjstmastide.