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Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 39, 10 January 1879, Page 2

Hie Government seem to bo thoroughly in earnest regarding the West Coast Railway. As our readers aro aware, a few days ago. a doputation of Wellington merchants waited upon the Hon Mr Macondrew, Minister for Public Works, regarding the sale of the Reclaimed Land, and urged him to reserve several sections for a new Railway Station. There is no doubt whatever, that the present Wellington Station is in a most absurd position, but the pertinacity with which the Wellington merchants are trying to obtain the Reclaimed Laud certainly strikes us as being worthy of a more noble cause. Selfishness is a prominent feature of the denizens of the Empire City. They desire to fatten on the outlying districts, but the thought of making a temporary sacrifice never enters into their calculations. So far indeed from sacrificing anything for the out districts they endeavour to rob them whenever the chance presents itself As we pointed out on a previous occasion, this Reclaimed Land, for which Wellington merchants and burgesses are everlastingly hankering, belongs not to the City, but to the Provincial District. The Province took the responsibility. The Province reclaimed the land, and had abolition not been brought about in the meantime the Provincial Council would have voted the funds accruing from it The property happens to be in "Wellington, but that is no reason why the capital should claim it. There has been a dissolution of partnership no doubt, but the senior partner must not have the whole of the assets, wnich happen to lie around him. We are glad to see Jlr Macandrew recognises the claim of the Provincial District, and proposes to spend tho money accruing fnni the sale of the reclaimed land upon the West Coast Railway . Spoaking to the deputation referred to, he said " his own idea was that now the dovurnment had gut the land they should get all tho money they could out of it, and make the railway to the West Coast." Also, " they expected to get half a million out of the reclaimed land. If so, the railway to the West Coast could be immediately commenced, and this would be of equal importance to Wellington as a railway station site." Judging from the whole tenor of Mr Maoandrew's remarks, the Chronicle, which is usually well-informed upon Ministeral intentions, says : — " It appears from Mr Macandrew's statement that he has almost made up his mind to apply a portion of the proceeds of the sale of tho reclaimed iand to the purpose and to commence at once the construction from the Wellington end."