UNKNOWN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4135, 23 October 1884, Page 3

UNKNOWN.

The House-tar' Wednesday Replying *■ Aat 2.30 p.m. said they v -» questions tho Government country irf ould give a smalt increase to the how .egraphists and postmasters where new T' rs of duty Avere increased by ttic WW .-gulations, where two or more officers 'F j employed no allowance Avould be made, uerc was ii rule in the Railway Department by which officials should not bo employed over a certain age, this did no. relate, laborers. H the motion tabled by the Treasurer for Friday was carried, it wouiti give relief to tho deferred payment settlers iv the amount of fines as railway tax for tlie Duntroon railway. . . The Government Insurance Association Bill, Public Works Amendment Bill, fjram-a<>-c of Mines Bill, Waikfito Confiscated Land Bill, Supreme Court Registrar Bill, and Taranaki Empowering Bill, avci'3 read I a third time and passed. The West Coast Settlement Bill was read a second time. . . The Police Officers Bill was considered further in committee.

The House adjourned at .3.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7-30. The Minister of Public Works moved the adoption of the North Island Mam Trunk Railway report. The committee having made the fullest enciuiry in taking all the available evidence, and he believed the House Avould agree with the committee that the Central line Avas the best route by which the settlement of the country can be attained. The committee considered the Napier route did not possess essential points which were required for a trunk line, but the Stratford line possessed several elements which should bo taken into consideration. When fixing upon a central trunk line there was a scries of difficulties from an engineering point of view, the grades being comparatively heavy, ihe cost of tho Central route Avould be £1,300,000, and for the Stratford £979,000. In conclusion ho moved that tho Central route be adopted, subject to some deviation iv detail found necessary during the construction. Mr Montgomery, as one of the committee Avho differed from the majority in their report., entered into a lengthy explanation of his reasons for favoring the Stratford route.

Dr. Newman thought the Central route

Avas incomparably the better of the two, bom"- thoroughly Avell timbered, and tho hind exceedingly fertile, and he hoped the House Avould adopt the Central route. Mr F. C. Buckland believed that if an impartial opinion Avould be obtained it would be in favor of tho Stratford route. Mr Fergus infcurled 1o vole for the Central line,.-is he bolived then- was a. much larger area of fertile country to be opened up by the Marlon line than by tho oth'-r. Mr Peacock said the chief difficulties ol the Stratford line had been overcome already by a, portion of the line being already oonstruckl He would vote for the Stratford

Sir G. Grey moved an amendment to strike out ilie word "central" and insert the word " Stratford." He spoke strongly in favor of the Stratford route, and said it would cost £400,000 less than the Marton line.

! Major Atkinson spoke under several disadvantages, paitlv from his connection-with the New° Plymouth district, and also because the committee had taken great pains to come to their decision, he would not condemn either route, as he believed both Avere good ones, and will have both to be. made ere long. There was quite as much good land to bo opened up by the Stratford line as there was by the Central. He intended to vote for the Stratford route. Mr Stout said the Government never sanctioned a line to Auckland via Stratford, but Parliament had sanctioned a trunk line to Auckland, and he would ask the lion. member for Egmont why he thought the Stratford line the best. His Government had surveyed the Central line, and he personally had no feeling in tho choice of the route, but maintained that the shortest be adopted, also one of the easiest of construction, and he thought everything Avas in favor of the Central route.

Mr Hobbs said if the Central line was adopted it would be a direct breach of faith, as the Taranaki line was surveyed and constructed as a main trunk line.

Mr Hursthouse did not see why the colony should be called upon, to construct a line of raihvay exclusively for tourists, Avhieh argument had been used against the Stratford route, he Avould support the Central line.

; Mr Joyce thought the House should accept the report of the Committee which Avas in favor of the Central line. Messrs J. C. Buckland find Mr Bruce said they would give a lukewarm support to the Central iine. Mr Smith pointed out that the House completely ignored the Napier line. Mr Browne Avould vote for the Central line, seeing tho report virtually ignored tho Napier route. Mr Samuel moved the adjournment of the debate. Captain Rnssell seconded tho motion, but suggested ■ that the debate should be adjourned till that day six months. Mr Grigg opposed both routes,, as the colon)' could not fit present afford the expenditure.

Mr Moss did not care Avhieh line was adopted, but as a Central route would not benefit Auckland, he should like to see the Stratford line constructed. The debate Avas adjourned on a division to 2.30 on Friday next,' Ayes 51, Noes 8. The House adjourned at 1 o'clock.