The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1884. The Central Railway

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 38, 1 April 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1884. The Central Railway

At the time when the promise of the Minister for Public Works was made that Mr Kochfort would be sent "immediately" to complete the survey of the Oroua Valley route, we said distinctly that we did not believe such promise would be redeemed before the 81st of March. That day has now passed, and as there is no sign of the " long promised" Mr Bochfort, our prediction has heen amply fulfilled. When the last two promises were I made, there existed in the Ministerial mind a reasonable doubt that the Manawatu seat would be rendered vacant by the resignation of the Hon. Walter Johnston. Not knowing clearly who was likely to succeed him, but having a shrewd suspicion that Mr Macarthur would be the " coming man," Mr Mitchelson and the other membersof the Cabinet showed marked attention to the requests of any deputation from this district, of which Mr Macarthur formed, a part. As a natural consequence, promises, either actual or implied, were freely poured out, in order to secure the attachment of one who could be at any time either a powerful friend or a dangerous opponent. Now that Mr Johnston has decided to remain in. the House until the end of the session, the necessity for conciliating the electors here no longer exists. : The promise of the survey of the Oroua Valley route, and the manner of its making, was about as weak-minded a thing as it was possible for a Government to do. Our readers will remember that it was not made because the Government believed that the route was a peculiarly practicable one, or indeed that it was likely to possess any advantages whatever over the alternate routes. The promise was given for no other reason than to gain time. We are now inf rn^erl that Mr Bochfort will hot be able to begin work here for at least six weeks from the present time. As we will then be well into the winter months when it is almost impracticable for surveys to be carried on, the work may now. be said to be postponed indefinitely.'; Day after day the Press Association is teeming with telegrams informing the Colony of the discovery of available tracks from New Plymouth. In fact one gentleman appears to be singularly gifted in this connection. Mr Donkin, C.E., ot New Plymouth, can always "put his hand on" a route passing through fertile valleys, and hills composed of coal , and other .valuabier-mineralß» Taranaki appears, according to the reports' as transmitted by telegraph, a most remarkably favoredpountry. The only puzzle, ia-rrwhy were these rich spots not 'discovered :/ /bef6re# r ; We land i the 'settlers; in Kiwitea; will no longer preserve silence j !< but 'will mejet together on an . early date, and give j public expression of their indignation at the very 'suspicious action of. th£ Government in so long delaying tie survey of the Oroua Valley route.