THE WELLINGTON AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5817, 20 November 1879, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES Sir, —In the published reports of an interview which took place on Saturday last between a deputation from the residents at Foxton and the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, it is stated that the object of the deputation was to urge the Government “ to begin work on the West Coast railway at Foxfon as well as at Wellington," —thus of course firing the route of the main line via Foxton. It is well known that the county of Manawatu is divided on the question whether the proposed West Coast railway should join the present line at Foxton or at Karero (about five miles south of Palmerston), and there is no doubt that the majority of the residents in the Manawatu county believe the latter route to be in every respect the best. It is not, however, so generally known that the late Minister for Public Works, Mr. Macandrew, gave a, distinct pledge to a deputation which waited upon him at Palmerston about a year ago, that before deciding on either route a careful survey and estimate of cost of both lines should be made, and their relative merits fully considered, regard being had to cost’of construction, probable run of traffic, and the opening of country for settlement. It is therefore self-evident that it is quite impossible for the Government to accede to the wishes of the Foxton people without a direct violation of the distinct promise made by their predecessors, and the rival claimants must be content to wait until that promise has been fulfilled, and then cheerfully accept the verdict which may be given.—I.am, &c., A. Follett Halcombe.