THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 293, 2 October 1886, Page 4

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

[WEEKLY PRESS.] Mr H. A. Scott, who it will be remembered proceeded to England some time back in connection with the Midland Railway, returned to Christchurch via Wellington on Tuesday. Yesterday a representative of this journal had an interview with Mr Scott, in the course of which some interesting information was given by that gentleman. In the f'.r.st place, it may be noted that the telegram from Wellington stating Mr Scott had been appointed manager of the Company is not quite correct. Mr Scott will act as the representative of the Company in New Zealand aided by a Board of Advice. Speaking on the question of the contract Mr Scott explained that the first piece of line let was selected because it was one upon which no delay need occur in getting to work. The time under which the original agreement was granted becoming short it was necessary that no delay should occur. The s jction under contract to Messrs Robinson and Co. was one in which there was 110 elaborate plans, &c., to prepare, £0 that work could at once be started with, and an earnest given to the people in England and the colony that the Company intended pushing forward the railway as soon as possible. One of the representatives of the contractors was already in the colony, and another was on his way to the t olony; but there was every probability that before the next mail arrived work would be commenced on the contract. As soon as the plans and other matters of details had been arranged—which, in dealing with such a work as this were naturally of a somewhat elaborate and difficult nature—no time would le lost by the Company in setting to work at both the Springfield and Nelson ends. There would be no delay 011 the part of the Company, as they were exceedingly anxious to push the work ahead. Arrangements for the valuations in connection witn the land grant would be carried on during next year as fast as possible, and when the plans and manifold details are arranged, the Company purposes commencing work in five or six places at once. Most probably the big tunnels would be the first work taken in hand. The period allowed for the completion of the line is ten years, but the Company have come to the conclusion that six years will be the maximum time necessary to get through the work. Mr Scott, however, is of opinion that unless some unforeseen difficulties arise, five years will see the whole line finished. The greatest wish of the Company, Mr Scott pointed out, was to deal fairly and openly with the Colony, and they hope sincerely that j the Company and the Colony would be' able mutally to assist each other. The Company was a very strong body of men, with every desire to carry out the work, and they expected and hoped to be met in a fair spirit. With regard to some statements which had been made in the Colony as to the intention of the Company to introduce workmen to work at a reduced rate of wages, Mr Scott said up to the time of his leaving England there was no such intention, and he believed it was entirely opposed to the wishes of the Company. What they desired to do was to employ the people 011 the spot, feeling that New Zealand work would be best done by employing New Zealand labour. Of course, when the work was in full swing, and there was a rush to get done, there might not be enough labour to do it, but to suppose that they could import men to work at English wages in the Colony was absurd. So soon as they got here they would demand Colonial wages. Beyond the directing heads of departments, no one was coming from England, and all the professional staff would be filled up from here. This he thought was amply proved by the appointment of Mr Napier Bell. Besides, he (Mr Scott) was essentially a Colonial. It was also intended, he might say, to make use of local contractors to the fullest extent. Such, briefly, is the state of matters with regard to the railway as gathered from Mr Scott, and no doubt the information afforded by him will be read with interest.

At Chester a soldier, while asleep, stepped out of his bedroom window and was killed. Two little boys were recently charged at Birmingham with stoning a pony to death. Mr Gladstone spoke for five hours and three-quarters in 1853 on his Budget, and that is about the longest speech on record. Mr Gladstone has held office with or under every Prime Minister of every party which has been in office since 1841, with only two exceptions —Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Salisbury.