The Wellington-Manawatu Railway

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 120, 26 March 1885, Page 2

The Wellington-Manawatu Railway

Wb are informed by wire from Wellington that " Subject to the approval of Parliament on 'one hand, and the shareholders of the Wellington-Mana-watu Railway Company on the other, the Government have arranged terms with the directors of that company for taking over the line now in course of construction by them." When the terms of the proposed arrangement are submitted to Parliament, they will be examined with more than ordinary care by members of both parties, and their final adjustment will not be made until after a long and arduous conflict. The proposal did not take anyone by surprise, as from the inception of the scheme, it was foretold that either before the completion of the line or immediately it was declared open for traffic, the Government would be influenced to take it over with all its responsibilities. The action of the Government is perfectly consistent with its policy of taking over the whole of the private railways in the Colony, as was indicated in the legislation <rf last session. The only question will be that of making the best possible bargain for ik^covUdry. "' "We have 'a

strong suspicion that if the sale of land on this line which took place a short time ago— and which was affected so much by the liberal land measures of the Government that it was virtually a failure — had been a success, the company would not have been so precipitate in agreeing to be relieved of their burden. The subject will be one of deep interest to all on this coast, and as such its progress will be jealously watched through the House.