RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2386, 24 November 1870, Page 2

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Led away by the Secretary for Land and Works, the Provincial Council is sure to adopt a course which will have the effect that it is intended to prevent—viz., the advancement of the interests of the North to the prejudice of the South Island. Tue course adopted by the Canterbury Provincial Council is just as wise as that likely to be pursued by our < Council is foolish ; and it is satisfactory to find that even journals professedly supporters of Mr Reid are viewing with alarm the action he has taken. Thus we find the Bruce, Herald of yesterday

saying : “ It is a matter of satisfaction that Canterbury has awoke to a sense of the true object of Mr Vogel’s grand colonial scheme of railway works and immigration, and that she is determined to have justice done to her. Bat we view, with extreme anxiety, the likelihood of a different course being adopted by Otago. We fear the want of unity of action between the two Provinces will simply play into the hands of the grasping North, which seems to think and act as if the more prosperous South had been made for it, and to serve its purposes. If the two pull together there is certainty of the South getting justice. In the present position of matters it appears to us that it would have been wise for Otago to follow Canterbury’s example. We should have preferred to have seen both Provinces demand a complete separation of their railway works from those of the other Provinces, save in the matter of guage ; but Canterbury having played her card first, it appears to us that the only course which remains for Otago is to follow suit. This is the best one now open for Otago, and would secure for us, in the matter of public works, a share in accordance with that contributed to the general revenue. This we consider to be the only fair principle according to which, if railways are to be colonial, and not provincial undertakings, justice can bo done. The extent to which, and the time at which, these are to be undertaken in the several Provinces, must be determined on the grounds of the importance of any Province in the matter of revenue contribution.

The following are the Canterbury resolutions referred to:

“ (I.) That in view of the proposed extension of railway communication throughout the Colony, under the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870, this Council is of opinion that in the Province of Canterbury, in addition to the railways authorised by the Railways Act, 1870, the following lines should be undertaken, viz., the extension of the Southern line from the Rakaiato the Temnka, and from Timaru to the Waitaki, and the extension of the Northern line to the River Hurunni. (2.) That of the above works the following sections should bo proceeded with so as to be completed within, two years from the present date, viz., the extension of the Northern line to the River Waipara, and of the Southern line from the llakaia to the Ashburton, and from"Temuka to the Orari. (3.) That it is desirable the branch railway from the Rolleston station on the Southern line to Southbridge should bo proceeded with as speedily as possible under the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act, and the sum of L 7,000 should be contributed out of the Provincial chest towards the cost of this work. (4.) That lines of tramway or railway to branch from the Northern and Southern Trunk Lines respectively should be constructed under the provisions of the above Act to the coal deposits in the Malvern Hills and to Oxford. (d.) That information regarding the above lines of railway, the country to he traversed by them, and the probable traffic receipts, he forwarded, together with a copy of these resolutions, to the Colonial Government, through his Honor the Superintendent requesting that the necessary surveys, plans, and estimates of costs may be proceeded with without delay. (6.) That inasmuch as the sum of L 7.000 has already been provided by the Provinces towards the construction of the railway between Timaru and Temuka, it is expedient in the event of any delay taking place in the raising of funds for railway purposes by the Colonial Government, that the above sum should be made use of for the immediate pn seen'ion of the necessary detailed surveys of this line, and for the commencement of the work in the neighborhood of Timaru. 1 '