The Feilding Star. TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 1884 The Railway Survey

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 20, 19 February 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 1884 The Railway Survey

« We published as an extra yesterday a telegram from D. H. Macakthur, Esq., who is at present visiting Wellington, that " Mr Kochfort has gone north to start a survey party at Te Awamutu, and returns immediately to survey the Oroua Valley Route, starting from Feilding." We must express the gratitude of the whole of the community for the trouble Mr Macarthur has taken — first in waiting on the Minister and secondly for so promptly putting us in possession of the information elicited at the interview. It will be in the memory of our readers that the Minister of Public Works made a clear and distinct promise that Mr Rochfort would be sent to survey the Oroua Valley Route immediately on the return of that gentleman from Nelson. Mr Rochfort has been in Wellington for some days, and it appears singular that no movement should be made until Mr Macarthur called on the Minister and reminded him of his promise. In our opinion there is a clear desire on the part of the Minister to forget his pledge, for the question naturally suggests itself — why the urgent necessity to send Mr Rochfort to "Te Awamutu to start a survey party ?" or why should our claims be thrust aside in preference to any other? Every day lost is of vital importance to the Government, as the rapid approach of the end of the financial year will find them a ready excuse for declining to authorise expenditure, when such is not in support of projects of their own. It is now about a month ago since- the Minister of Public Works promised Mr Macarthur that Mr Rochfort would be sent immediately, and judging by the Ministerial interpretation of the term, another month will be allowed to expire, which will bring us well into the end of March, when it will be considered impolitic to commence a new survey. It may appear to our readers that we have very little confidence in the intention of the Minister to keep his promise. Such is the case, however, for we believe that had Mr Mitchelson honestly intended to send Mr Rochfort " immediately," he would not have allowed so much valuable time to have been lost. Whon we see the survey party paas through Feilding en route, then we will believe, but not till then.