WELLINGTON FOXTON RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, 25 October 1878, Page 2

WELLINGTON FOXTON RAILWAY.

On Tuesday night, the Hon James Macandrew, Ministor for Publio Works, moved in the Lower Houso the second readiug of the Railways Construction Bill. We have looked with interest for this, as ihe Wellington-Foxton line stands first in the sohedule of lines to ba constructed. In the course of hU speech, which waa marked by that sound practical sense and far-seeing stales* manship Mr Macandrew invariably displays, ho combatted the statement put forwarl by the Opposition, that the Government wanted entire control of the works, and assured the House that the Government proposed to take an . annual appropriation, commencing this year with a voto for £100,000. To remove all doubts, in, committee he \i ould move an amend, ment to make that more clear. As totheFoxton line, he said :— "The

work» under progress in the North Island • would he pi'ococdod ivith vigoioasly, Ltifc the new \vorl:s would depend a good deal upon tlu 1 uujui sition of native land, especially that running through tho'lviiig ci-uiitry and tho F.-stou line." Also, thai 11 all tho works would bo c..uj»letcd within 5 or C years," aud that '"' '.ho wholo of the iNcrlh Island lines, with tho exception of tho two speciiijd. in counec*ion with which naiivo land had to be purchased, could bo cpnv pleted within three years."