NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2553, 14 June 1882, Page 4

NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

[fbbsb association tblesbam.J WELLINGTON, June 13.

An interviow took place this morning between members of Government and several members of the House of Representatives in regard to tho completion of tho trunk line of railway through the North Island, Mr Sheehan said the deputation was not intendod as a demonstration in favor of or againßt the proposal for a loan, the members present merely wishing to be assured that if further borrowing were deoided upon, their olaims should not bo overlooked. He described different routes through wVich it was proposed the lino should pass. The deputation, generally, were in favor of thoTaranakiAwamutu route. In regard to tho Native difficulty, which appeared to Mr Sheehan to bo tho most important question, that difficulty existed to an equal extent in connection with both lines. He believed that the moiao::t anything like ressanable terms could be come to with Tawhaio, that moment the King Country would be opened up, and ho believed tho next recess would witness the accomplishment of that.

In reply the Premier said that no doubt at the commencement of the public works policy tho trunk line* were the main feature I of tho polioy, and the Government recognised that ib was an essentia! part of any more borrowing that the principal portion of the trunk lines should ho completed, so as to provide through communication in both islands. That idea had certainly not been deviated from, exoept in so far as it had been impossible to carry it out in oonsoquenoe of the Native difEoulty, and the present view of the Government was that the proposed line should be one of those on which a portion of the money of the proposed new loan should be spent. The Native difEoulty, however, had Btood in the way hitherto, but that difficulty now seemed to be speedily coming to an end, and he was in greit hopes that at no very distant time the Government would be able to complete the surveys in that oountry. The line in question was one that should bs dealt with at once, and it should be completed at the earliest possible time. The Hon. Mr Bryce agreed with Mr Sheehan as to the Native difficulty being equal in regard to both the proposed routes. Ho had made every enquiry he could as to the nature of the oounvy of the respective routes, and was free to confess he was not in a position to express any opinion on the subject. As to tho Natives offering any obstruction to the work of exploration in that district, the Natives naturally wished, he said, to oonserve their interests as far as possible, and to do so by arrangement with the Government. That was reasonable on their part, and the Government would bo prepared to meet them aa far as they reasonably oould. Beyond that he did not think the Natives had any intention of offoriug permanent obstruction to the progress in that district. Before long he expected the Government would bo able with their full concurrence to make surveys through their country. Mr Tawhai expressed his opinion that tho lines should not stop at Auckland, but should go as far as tho North Oape. The Colonial Troasurer, referring to the losn, said the Governmont proposed to allooato it to particular works, and as far as it was possible in raising it the faith of the colony would be pledged to the execution of tho3e works. Of course it was impossible to pledge further than that, but the Government were quite dear that the time had passed by when a largo sum of money should be borrowed, and an objuot for ita allocation sought afterwards. The Government proposed to found their borrowing on the amount of works te be done.