THE WELLINGTON AND FOXTON RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5522, 7 December 1878, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON AND FOXTON RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib,—There is a scheme for running a private railway from Foxton (the seaport of Manawatu) to Greatford (a railway station in Kangitikei), to cut out the Government railway, which has been carried on land so as to pass through the fertile and populous part of Manawatu. - The present Minister of Public Works talks about turning the railway from that part of Manawatu seawaids to Foxton, so that the traffic will leave the Government line at Foxton and pass along the private railway. The idea of taking a railway to the sea coast for the purpose of ruining a harbor and crossing a river at the mouth among sandhills and quicksands, would he too absurd to be worthy of notice if it were not for the circumstance that it finds favor in Wellington, and also with the Minister for Public Works. It is strange that a city of the size of Wellington should envy Manawatu its little prosperity, and still more strange that the Minister for Public Works should appear to assist a private company to cut out a Government railway line. Were it not for Mr. Macandrew’s unimpeachable character, one would be inclined, to suspect him of a desire to help some one interested in the private railway. He may say that ho has not seen the West Coast, but whoso fault Is that 3 What else is he paid for but to supervise public works 3—l am, &c„ ■ - Viator.