THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BANDON RAILWAY COMPANY.

Manawatu Herald, 15 June 1880, Page 2

THE GOVERN ME NT AND THE BANDON RAILWAY COMPANY.

- ♦■ The following c >rreapimdence Uaa been banded to us for publication. [From Mr Sanson to Mr W. Johnston, M.H.R.] Sanson, May 6, 188'). Dear Sir,-— I have the honor to inform you that the Foxlon and Sanson Railway Co. have had plans and nil other data required by the District Railways Act prepared and forwarded to the Government. I have applied for the Governor's consent to the construction of the line, but up to the preseut time have not been informed whether that consent will be given or refused. I may state that, the preliminary expenses of the Company up to date amount to nearly £GOO, and we are now ask«d by the Government to have detailed working plans and specifications prepared which will cost over •t'2oo more. This appears to bo unreasonable after what tue Minister of Public Works staced to the deputation of which you were ft member, in December last, viz., that he was quite satisfied with tho ex. plana'iong given, and requested me to see Mr Blacket on the subject, who also appeared to be satisfied with the additional plans, io., left in his office at that time. The Directors are quite prepared to have the required surrey made if tho Government will assure us that His Excellency will consent to the construction of the line when these further plans are sent down. Tho Directors have every reason to believe that they will be able to raise the necessary money tor oomploting the work as soon as the legal consent is given. Will you kindly see Mr Oliver, and urge him to obtain the Govornor'a consent, or a promise that it will bn given when the plans are furnished H. Hanson, Chairman. [From Mr W. Johnston, M.H.R., to Mr Sana On.] Wellington, May 13. 1880. Deab Siu, — I have seen Mr Oliver upon tie eubjeot of your letter of the 6th in»t.

He informs me that it is the intentionof the Q-overnmont to introduce this session an Act to amend the District Railways Act in some particulars in which it is found to be defective, and specially to make the local rate and Government guarantee to run for the same period, and to make one body responsible for the payment of interest to the lender of money ; and therefore the Government do not desire to take any steps to hasten tha construction of any railways uuder the Aot until after the amending Act has been passed. W. W. Johnston. FFrom Mr Sanson to Mr W. Johnston, L M.H,R/| Sandon, June 9, 1080. DEA.B Sin,— l laid your letter of the 13th May last before the Directors of the FoxtonSunson Railway Coi, and am requested to state the Directors consider the Government have acted most unfairly towards this Company. tJiifedfcoM na¥d benri afisuttid that the Governor's consent would bo given for the construction of said rail way -as «oon as the requisite plans, specifications, &c , were forwarded to the Government. They were therby encouraged to lay out a large sum of money ill establishing the Company, and preparing to undertake the work. ISey are now told the Government propose to amend tiie District Railways Aotd of 1877 and 1878. the effect of wiiidh w»l "pro-baWy- ripset all that has been done, and result id a loss to the Company of from £600 to £700, beside retarding the progress of the district through which tbe line would pass. ■ A deputation of Directors of the Company waited upon the Hon. Mr Oliver on the 3rd. December last. He stated that he was satisfied with the explanations given on the subject, and that if Mr Blacbctt was also satisfied the requisite' cyjiscnf r Voulcl bn i abtaiueu. ■ •- ,

The deputation saw Mr Blacliett iho same day, and furnished additional plans, which he said contained all the inforuiatioa he required, and that he was quite satisfied. The Directors were consequently. very much surprised on receipt of a letter from the Public Works office dated 22n3 December, 1879, warning them not to proceed with the survey, aa in doing so it would be "at the Company's risk." Another letter from the same office,dated April 7, 1880, informs us that " tho Minister is advised that it it requisite you should furnish for inspection complete working plans, sections, and cross-sections, showing all the works proposed." In reply to W. W. Johnston, Es<i., M.H.8.. who waited on the Minister for Public Works on behalf of the Company on the 9th May, we are told that the Government intend to bring in an Act to amend the District Railways Acts of 1877 and 1878. All the above statements are inconsistent with each other, and I am requested to inform you that the shareholders in this Company have no confidence in the Government, and have most respectfully to request you to get Sir Wro. Fox, and together urge for the Governor's consent to the construction of proposed railway, and to enter a strong protest against the passing of any amendment Act which would render the action of the Foxton and Sanson Railway Company null and avoid. H. Saxsox, Chairmanr