PORT RAILWAY EXTENSION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 125, 27 May 1878, Page 2

PORT RAILWAY EXTENSION.

POSTPONEMENT OF THE MEETING. On the news reaching Nelson that the Port line \Yas not to be proceeded withj Mt Sharp, M.H.R., at once telegraphed to the Hon. Captain Whitmore for information, bufc as that gentleman was absent from Wellington, no i*eply was teceived Until to-day, when the following explanation was telegraphed by him to Mr Sharp :— " I regret about Port extension, bufc the question is cvideutly misunderstood. The Government intend carrying on the work as soon as possible, but as the loan is not floated and private information led the Government to fear thafc, owing to the war excitement, there might still be some delay they resolved to postpone undertaking any expenditure till tiie money was available. Beyond the recognised legal margin the Government have no means outside the terms of the Loan Act of raising money, and owing to the prolonged delay in raising the loan all the margin was exhausted, aud no legitimate means were left to provide for about £100,000 of new contracts, for which tenders had been called iu anticipation of the loan. Since this step was taken better news has been received, and the loan seems more hopeful. Directly the agents can operate; contracts will be Completed, and the Nelson work will be the very first. I fancy the question must be misunderstood, as no reasonable person could ask ua to spend money we have not got and cannot get except by breaking the law." In consequence of the receipt of the above, it has been dceided to postpone the meeting until further notice.