THE SUPPLY OF SLEEPERS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1610, 18 April 1879, Page 4

THE SUPPLY OF SLEEPERS.

[Auckland " Star."] Several times we have referred to the action of the Government in connection with the supply of railway sleepers. The subject was taken up by an Auckland member, who wrote to the Minister of Public Works on the subject, and has received the following reply :—" Wellington, 31st March, 1879. Dear Sir,—l have to apologise for not having acknowledged, ere now, receipt of your note. Singularly enough the suggestions re sleepers were being impressed by me upon the Engineer-in-Oharge when your note reached me, and with the exception of the minimum number, we had resolved to do exactly what you recommend. The lowest quantity proposed to be purchased was 500, under the impression that half-a-dozen men might combine to supply that number. I am inclined to think, however, that your minimum of 100 is better, and shall see if we cannot get this arranged. In the meantime, I am glad to say that from the attention which has been called to the matter, we are not likely to be driven outside the colony for sleepers. I think we have seen the last of this. There is a good supply now forthcoming in the Auckland Erovince, and I have just directed 100,000 eart of kauri to be tendered for. What I aim at, however, is that people who are up to the matter should go into the business without tendering at all. It would suit tho Government far better to buy in the open market a good article at the market price, and seeing the enormous demand for sleepers, which there will be for years to come, the Government will always be a buyer—so that unless the production Bhall be all the greater —no man is likely to have his stock remaining long on his hands, With its puriri and kauri, Auckland possesses a gold mine in tho shape of railway Bloepers alono, and it only rests with tho people concerned to turn it to account. You cannot let it be too widely known that the Government is prepared to purchase almost any quantity at market price, quality, of course, being sound.—ln haste, yours truly, J. Macandbew."