THE WAIRARAPA RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4853, 11 October 1876, Page 2

THE WAIRARAPA RAILWAY.

Inconsequence of the reply received to |he , letter addressed to the Hon, Mr., Richardson last week on this subject, alluded to ia our issue of Friday last, a joint deputation of theWellington Chamber of Commerce and a committee from the Wairarapa, consisting of' Messrs. J. C. . Andrew, M.H.R.; Pearce, . . M.H.8.; Hunter, M.H.K.; Levin, Chairman of , the Chamber; E. W. Mills, Beethamj and; Rockell, attended at the Public Works office . yesterday at 11 o’clock, to urge their views' upon the Minister. Mr. Levin said that the object of the deputation was to urge the importance of at once determining the route of the Wellingl.on-Maa-terton railway between. Featherston and Masterton. Their .action had been instigated by public meetings held at Carterton and Mas-. terton, and the Chamber of Commerce cordially co-operated in the matter. It was of great importance to the Wairarapa district and to the. port of Wellington that the connection between , Featherston and Masterton should be made so • soon as the line was opened. Until the whole' length of railway coaid be traversed the advaa-. tage to trade, and consequent profit to the- - railway, would be comparatively small. He understood that the line to Featherston would, ] be opened and in working order. They asked, , that immediate steps might be taken to let th*... , contracts for- the ■ .Featherston and. Mastertou.r , section. The Government would be gaipefe by adopting this course, as they would tap the ... whole valley of the Wairarapa at once, and the tenders would be accepted at lower rates. . The Hon.- Mr. Richardson said that ho .iad. just had a conversation with the Engineer-in-,

Chief on the subject, and he was of opinion that it would ■be fully .eighteen- months- before-the-line could bo opened, to Eeatherston. Many difficulties had ■ arisen in ,'ithe',.,tunnels,, and cutings far in excess of what had been anticipated- either; by the engineers; or contractors. Mr. Carruthers intended to; make the final survey, of, the section immediately after the session, but during its continuance hie was obliged to be in attendance in Wellington, and the survey was consequently delayed. The works would be of an exceedingly light nature, and the Government had not found it convenient to let contracts too soon, for the works simply went to wreck, and had to be done over again. No time would be lost, and the works would be put in hand during .the. summer,- and finished in such time that the permanent way could be got on with so soon as the line was opened to Eeatherston. Mr. Levin asked whether the Government intended to- have the Featherston-Masterton line ready, so that the whole valley would be opened up. at once? ■ The Hon. Mr. Richardson replied that such was their intention as far as practicable. Mr. J. 0. Andrew, asked if the Government would determine upon the direction of the line immediately after the session, and asked if the Minister could pledge himself that this should be done within one month of the rising of Parliament? ; '

The Hon. Mr. Richardson said that he would give no pledge, as it depended upon the liberality of Parliament, the Estimates not yet being passed. The earthworks were very light, and .could be completed almost as quickly as the permanent .way could be laid down. The deputation then withdrew.