THE SOUTHERN TRUNK RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5316, 10 April 1878, Page 2

THE SOUTHERN TRUNK RAILWAY.

(From the Dunedin Star, April 2,) If the Ministry are not careful they will meet the fate of Actteoii, who, the fable says, was devoured by his own pack. Already there arc signs of trouble in the air, and people are beginning to ask why this or that promise remains in the category of unredeemed pledges. The Morning Herald, generally ministerial, though oceassionally somewhat vague in principles, and the Clutha Leader, which often loses itself in admiration of the superlative qualities of the Premier and his colleagues, have lately come out with wholesome and vigorous articles, in which they call attention to the dilatoriness with which the work of the Balclutha and Clinton .section of the Main South Railway is being carried on, and plainly hints that the Government, for reasons best known to themselves, are not keeping the contractors up to the mark. The local papers are all up in arms, and the Clatha Leader asserts that past experience leads to the conviction that any remonstrance on the subject will prove unavailing, and that, “gross and open partiality is believed to exist.” It appears from all accounts that, if energetic action is not taken by the mercantile community, and real pressure brought to bear upon tho Government, the line will not be completed for two or three years, nor indeed then or ever at the present rate of progress. This is a matter of serious import to Dunedin, and one which admits of no delay, unless we are prepared to see the traffic of a large portion of the interior permanently diverted from the port. This will be probably of move immediate interest to the citizens than all, the blessings which are to flow from the development of the political theories of the Premier, and they will be inclined to agree with the poet— For forms of Government let fools contest, Whato'cr is best administered is best.