MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1548, 2 September 1905, Page 3

MIDLAND RAILWAY.

AN ALLEGED STATEMENT OF FACTS..

In connection with the departure for Wellington of a strong combined deputation from Canterbury and the West Coast, to urge upon the Government the speedy grosecration of the Midland railway, a correspondent of the Ohristohnroh Press throws upon the railway a fine strong tlouohe oi oold water. As his remarks express the views of a good many in Canterbury on the subject, they may be oi interest elsewhere: — •‘ln my opinion,” ho writes, “there ivill be no warranty for the further expenditure of money upon this line for many years to come, and it may well be left to the taxpayers of .that date to consider the matter. I hope that wiser counsels will prevail with the members of Parliament, and that they Hwill not be influenced by the specious Arguments of the deputations. The great j of the advocates of the line is that Hirers will be a large coal and timber trade j Hrith a great tourist traffic, but they have , Hiever been able to prove this by the , Htvidenoo of the ooal and timber merohants, | will continue to ship from the various , Sports, as the water carriage will always be { than the railway. The ohairamn Hf the Chamber of Commerce, at the meeting, stated that * with the completed they would add some people to Canterbury as cuseto. Why, the entire population Hf Westland is only 14,631. It is not to Hbo supposed for a moment that the Grey■Louth Harbor Board is going to allow the . ■trade to be diverted from the port. : On oontrary they contemplate increased facilities, and Hokitika has a Bill Parliament to raise money for the of the port, so that if there had been a dream of getting timber Boss for the Midland, it must be as it would never pay to rail from this district. I would like to draw to the speeoh of Mr Hawkinß the Finanoial Statement, where it be seen bow earns of taxpayers’ are expended yearly in Westland ■ the disadvantage of tho other part of colony, One of the pleas of Midland la that it would draw How many are likely to go to.be through about five miles of tunand whisked past endless outtlngs, losing ths grandeur of the sights are travelling for, The truth of the is that all this agitation for the IHblidland Is prompted by the Invitation of §Hhe Premier#? who asked that pressure be brought to bear upon ths GoIHi'ernment. No doubt with the view firstly gHbf getting a largely inoreased expenditure Westland, and secondly to have some of support in asking for much borrowing powers, Better devote energies to our East Coast work, IHriotsbly, the Cheviot line, whioh should be on with all speed, biit no part pf Main Trunk line is urgently required the lettlers."