Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1901. MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 March 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1901. MIDLAND RAILWAY.

The Midland Railway Commission has about completed its task, and will report to the Governor upon the claims of the debenture-holders to some fair consideration. "Wo cannot say that Parliament will be in a much better position to deal with the subject than they wero before, for the Commission has not brought to light any facts that wero not known before. The Commission has, however, or rather will, by the time it has finished its labors, cost a good, round sum —all of which will, of course, bo deducted from tho amount (if any) to be paid , to tho debenture-holders. A good many years ago tho colony was engaged in an almost similar task in connection with the Brogden railway claims. Tho ultimate " washing up" in that affair was a loss to both sides. In this instance, an endeavor may possibly be made to show a loss by the country over the actual amount expended, bat it is idlo to anticipate tho verdict, which will be known in due course.. Turning to another aspect of tho railway it seems probable that the Commissioners will report as to tbo advisability of proceeding more rapidly with the construction of the line. Wo notice that the Westport fo ks are particularly energetic, and that the Minister for public Works has promised Mr Colvin, M.H.R who is at present in Wellington, that

he wi 1 instruct Mr. M'Glasham, C.E. I to make an immediate start with the survey of the proposed section of the Midland Railway between Reef ton and Inangabua Junction. From the Junction to Mokibinui it is only twenty miles, and Mr. Golvin states that if a railway is mado between tbo two places a line tract of agricultural and coal-bearing- land will be opened up, Westport and Mokihinui are already connected by rail, and the construction of a line between the latter place and Reefton will enable trains to run right through from Westport to the Otira Gorge. It is about time we were waking up from our slumbers and attending to the matter and urging Government to proceed with the I main line from the Ofcira.