The Central Railway.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 112, 15 April 1885, Page 2

The Central Railway.

[Marton paper, j Mr R. C. Bruce, M.H.R., sent a telegram on Monday to the Hon. Mr Edward liichardson, C.M.G., Minister for Public Works, m reference to the turning of the first sod of the Central Railway at the Marion end, which is understood to take place to-day. The ! following telegram was received m reP'y : ~" Your telegram re turning of first sod at Marton has beeu repeated to me here. The ceremony at Te Awamutu will be purely a Maori one. I will see what the other Ministers say, but I think it will be diffcult now to organise anything m which the Government could take a leading part." Mr Bruce left for Wanganui this morning to interview the Hon. Mr Tole, Miuister of Justice, who is there at present ou departmental business. [by telegraph.~|! Wanqandi, Apiil 14. _Mr Bruce, M.H.R. interviewed the Jlon. Mr Tole this morning m Wanganui, m reference to the turning of the first sod of the Central line at the Marton end. He represented to the Minister that there was a strong feeling m Rangitikei that such an important event m its annals should be made the subject of a demonstration. . The Minister assured Mr Bruce that Sir Julius Yogel aud Mr Stout were both anxious to havn the event celebrated m a becoming manner and he immediately telegraphed to Ministers making known the wishes of Rangitikei, promising at the same time to use all his influence iv the direction wished for. We (Chronicle) understand that Mr James Johnston, of Wanganui, is the successful teuderer for the Mar ton cootract of the Central Railway. The amount, as we stated yesterday, is over £27,500. Mr Johnston, was at Marton yesterday engaging men, and making arrangements for commencing work without delay. Mr Johnston, it will bo remembered, was the contractor for the Wauganui Post Office, aud quite recently of handsome and commodious premises for one of the banks at New Plymouth, and we. have no doubt, from his euergy and experience, will carry out his present contract, though m a somewhat different line, to tbe perfect satisfaction of the department.