THE WEST COASTLINE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 92, 28 August 1878, Page 2

THE WEST COASTLINE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Close on to midnight last night we received the first instalment' of the Public Works Statement, from which we summarise that portion more especially of interest to our readers : — The construction of the Wellington and Foxton Line will to some extent be contingent upon tho acquisition of land from the Natives. In addition to an area of 300,000 acres of Maori land, 180,000 acres of which have been under negotiation for some timo, tho land will make, available 100,000 acres now m the handtf of the Crown ; and there can be no doubt that, taken togother, these lands will ultirnately^reaiise an amount which will go far towfrW covering tho cost of tho proposed railway. I know' there may be considerable difference of opinion with regard to the land, but I think that apart from any advantages it may of itself yield by enabling thp country between Wellington and Foxton to be beneficially occupied, it is extremely desirable that it should be made a part of the main trunk line which is to connect Wellington with Auckland. If the two great centres, Wellington and Auckland, are to be efficiently connected by railway, the Wellington to Foxton portion must be considered at some time. I believe it to be well that we should accept the conclusion that that connection was to be made, and if so, I think the Parliament and the people will agree with me that the, sooner it is done the better it will be for the Colony. However, tho work will not commenced until there is a further, and thorough investigation as to the best route to be taken. It will thus be seen that our proposals embrace a main lino of commuuication on the West Coast from Wellington to Auckland and Thames, and another on the East Coast from Wellington to Napier, To make the

system complete, it remains but to establish the connection between these , y -two main lines, by means of a short link of twelve miles between Bunnythorpe and Woodville. This would place Napier and T .nearly all. the East Coast country ih'-^ communication, not merely witu Welliiiifbn, but also with Manawatu, Wanganui, N"ew Plymouth, and Auckland. TheT^^fcable cost of this would be £119,(^,V^'i : there canbe little doubt that sooner: ot'V later,.thafc work will have to be undertaken. 7