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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4485, 4 August 1875, Page 2

The Public Works Statements of the Hon. Mr. Richardson have now come to be identified with evidence of his practical fitness for the department he controls. That of last night was in no respects a change in the particulars we have mentioned from those which have preceded it. It possessed, however, a gratifying feature beyond those we have been accustomed to. At last we have reached a certain stage of accomplishment in our public works, a place at which we can point to certain completions of the design, in order to draw therefrom evidences that those who predicted its success were not wrong. The traffic on all lines at present open is greatly in excess of that estimated, whilst on the whole the estimated cost has not been, in proportion, greatly exceeded. Wa need not, however, recapitulate the chief features of the statement, as they will be found in the pretty full summary published elsewhere. We may, however, point to a matter of local interest which does not come out fully in that summary. Mr. Riohakdson, in his statement, informs us that the Government knowing it was the intention of Parliament that the Wellington and Masterton line should be constructed as far as Masterton, propose to take a vote for that purpose. On completion of the contract surveys, however, it was found that a large additional vote would be required to take the line to Featherston, leaving twentyfour miles between that town and Masterton unprovided for ; and although that length cannot be undertaken before the year 1877, the Government still consider that a vote should now be taken to complete it, and they will accordingly ask for £120,000 for that purpose. A railway wharf, estimated to cost £25,000, is to be built in connection with the Wellington terminus, and then we may expect the railway system to be of practical use here when goods can be taken from the ships’ side up country without any intermediate transfer.