Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY. JULY 8, 1879. OBSTRUCTING THE RAILWAY SCHEME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 89, 8 July 1879, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY. JULY 8, 1879. OBSTRUCTING THE RAILWAY SCHEME.

The two predominant characteristics of Dr Rockstrow, are—destructiveness, and a love of tho technicalities of law. The latter is a very harmless failing, except when he is on the Bench. A few days ago he sat on the preliminary investigation regarding young Cook, and betrayed his utter ignorance of the proprieties of that position, by proceeding to ask him if he were guilty or not guilty. Common sense should have told him that even if the lad had confessed his guilt, it would have been beyond his power to have done anything more than record his guilt. The foolish action was stopped by both the officials of the Court and a J. P. present calling out that it was wrong to ask such a question. But "the Doctor's" latest display of legal acumea is in connection with the Sandon Kailway. At the Eeviaing Court on Friday, he appeared to support an objection he had lodged. The objection was not read, nor have we seen it, and consequently we do not know what it amounts to. From what fell from the writer of it, however, in the Court, we gathered that it was an objection to the whole rating soheme, on some legal ground as to the time of the deposit of plane, or other documents, and whioh if sus* tamed would necessitate a new beginning. We think it would have been better if Mr Sanson had read the objection, though there was no legal reason why he should do so. He simply declared it informal, on the ground that it dealt with matters which were beyond his jurisdiction. Dr Rockstrow then declared his intention of writing to the Government, and stating his objection to them! This is so thoroughly like the manj that we are not surprised in the least! The Revising Officer stated in Court that the requirements of the Act had been complied with, and full notice given. Why then does this meddlei and busybody persist in trying tc upset the whole affair? It is nothing but an innate quarrelsome disposition. Has he been injured by th€ railway ? does be repent of having taken 50 shares, and desire t" sneali out of his bargain ? have any injured persons complained that they suffei injustice through the laclm of the Railway Company, in not depositing the plans at the time Dx Kockstrow

thought was correct? Wo do not • think so. We have no doubt the > appeal that will be made to the OoluL nial Secretary by Dr Koclcstrow to quash the Sandon Railway scheme ',■ will meet with faint success. The r people of Sandon and Foxton will - know how to appreciate him after I this latest sign of his gratitude for j the favours he hps received ; — and . how great those favours have been, c a retrospect -of what he is to-day, compared with what he was a few years ago, will readily show. San- . don is languishing for wantj of an outlet for its produce ; whilst Fo - ton needs connection with back coun* try to ensure its steady progress. To secure the progress of both districts, the people have united to form a railway, and the man who has expressed his determination to oppose that scheme ; and try to place the whole affair de novo, with a loss of , timo and money to the Company, is Dr Rockstrow. Like Erostratus. who burnt the Ephesian Temple, having been utterly unable to gain , fame as a public man bj- good deeds, he is determined to gain it by bad ones.