The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 227, 13 June 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1877.

On the 19th May wo published information as to the Wanganui-Taranaki Railway, together with the amount of appropriations and expenditure on the lines Waitara to Patea, and Manawatu to Patea, as furnished by Government in reply to enquiry made by the Hon. W. Fox. The figures showed for the ■Waitara to Patea a balance of late appropriations available of £19,489, whilst for the Manawatu to Patea, liabilities in excess of appropriations were shown, to the extent, of £28,164. The figures appear to have been noted with good effect in Taranaki, both papers having taken the matter up, as well as which a public meeting was held to consider the question. At the public meeting a very mild reminder to Government, in the shape of a resolution, moved by Colonel Trimble, was passed, pointing out that

the continuation of the railway beyond Inglewood Was “ not being formed with that rapidity that the community had a right to expect.” At the same time some particularly Warm remarks were made as to the action of the local members, Major Atkinson coming in for a share of censure. Mr Callaghan, the seconder of the resolution, said “ Ho considered that the resources of Taranaki had not been developed by the country being opened as they should have been, and blamed the members for not looking more after the interest of the district. Ho thought it was the duty of the members to look after their own district first, before they did the general welfare of the Coloaiy. They were elected to look after them, and he did not think they could afford to have one of their members in the Government, as it was too expensive a luxury for a small place. He thought the Premier ought to thank them for the position he hold, and should do more for the place. By his being in that position ho considered they lost one vote. He did not want to censure any of their members, but he did not consider they got for this place all it was entitled to.” We do not agree with the wholesale denunciation of the local members indulged in by Mr Callaghan, but rather hold with the view taken by Mr T. Kelly, who pointed out that “ it was the Government who was authorized to spend the money. The members simply saw that it was voted and put on the estimates, and after the session was over they had no more power than any ordinary person.” Mr Kelly also differed from Mr Callaghan “ respecting one of their members being in the Ministry. He considered that being in that position he could look after the interests of the district better than a private member, and could sec that the money voted was expended in it.” Judging by the %nres lately quoted, it is clear, that, ot far as the lino from Inglewood to Patoa is concerned, Major Atkinson has failed in his duty to the district he represents. Mr Kelly furnished figures which showed neglect on the part of Government in an unmistakably plain manner. He said—“ By the public works policy of 1870, when Mr Fox was Premier, the line from Wellington to Taranaki was scheduled as a main line, and a sum was appropriated to it. Afterwards a division was made, and tins end was called separately the Waitara-Wanganui line. In 1871-2, the sum of £50,000 was appropriated to this line, but none of it was expended. In 1872-3, an additional £IO,OOO was added to the appropriation, but still there was no expenditure. In 1873-4, £39,500 was added, making a total ©f £IOO,OOO. The first expenditure was in 1873-1, when £24,000 was expended. In 1874-5, £29,000 was expended, making a total expenditure of £55,000 out of the sum of £IOO,OOO appropriated. In 1875 the appropriations were repealed, and a now system inaugurated, by which we lost £44,000. Up to date the appropriations have been £199,000 and the expenditure £IIO,OOO, leaving an unappropriated balance of £89,000.” Major Atkinson is notblamcablo for the remissness of past Governments, but he cannot reasonably shirk the responsibility regarding late appropriations. To such an extent has tampering with votes been carried, that people are losing all faith in Parliamentary appropriations. Unexpended moneys appear in the Financial Statement as savings, and credit is duly, taken therefor. Filchings would more correctly express what credit is taken for as savings. Sir Julius Vogel, in his last year’s statement, showed appropriations unexpended under the Public Works Account to the extent of £918,021, of which £722,073 was from votes for x-ailways. In other words, the expressed will of Parliament had not been carried out in the matter of railway work to the extent named. Mr Kelly, at the public meeting held in New Plymouth, showed that there was an unexpended balance of appropriations in respect of the WaitaraWanganui Railway amounting to £89,900, and that in 1875, £44,000 previously appropriated had been entirely lost by repeal of certain Acts and the introduction of a new system of appropriations. If Government is to be allowed to continue tampering with votes in the manner indicated by the figures quoted, it will be of little use sending members to Parliament. Mr Kelly showed, that whilst slow progress hud been the rule as regarded the Waitara to Wanganui railway, other lines were being proseexxted with vigor. He informed the meeting that for the year 1875-6 and 1876-7, Parliament voted for the Napier line £100,183 and £57,000 respectively. During 1875-6, £91,281 was expended, being close on the appropriation, and that it was very probable that the whole of the £57,000 would be expended before Parliament met; £197,000 had been previously expended on the line xxp to June, 1875. Napier has had the advantage of being represented by a Minister, aad care has been taken that the full sum voted by Parliament should be spent. It is likely even that the expenditure will prove to have been in excess of appropriations. Major Atkinson has been in a position to see that the amount appropriated during his term of office for the WaitaraWanganui railway was spent. He has not done so, ard to that extent has neglected properly to look after the hit-rests of his constituents Major Atkinson, justly, has the credit of being diffident about pressing legitimate private claims of his own on the attention of. Parliament. Less deserving men

have pressed war claims and been well compensated. The same diffidence appears to have been shown in regard to the public trust he holds as a representative in Parliament. If it pleases Major Atkinson to ignore his own private interests he should not ignore the interests of his constituents. It is most important to this district that the Waitara to Wanganui railway should be proceeded with, if not with vigour, at least with moderate speed. The money already appropriated should have been spent, and it was Major Atkinson’s duty to see that it was spent for the purpose named in the Appropriation Act. We are pleased to notice that the figures first published in our columns should have led to agitation being commenced at both ends. The centre also can do its share towards agitating and would indeed be more benefitted by the completion of a through line of railway than either New Plymouth or the dirtrict on the Wanganui side. All should pull together, and particular care should be taken to bring under the Premier’s notice the injury to the district by reason of the nonexpenditure of money as appropriated, and the feeling of insecurity and want of faith in Government, which is growing through the continued misapplication of money voted for particular works.