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The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1884. THE NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE OF RAILWAY.

Is it not mean and discreditable on the part of the South Island papers to be repeatedly decrying the formation of the main trunk line of railway of this Island ? A very large amount of public money has already been spent on a main line of railway between Christchurch and Dunedin, while a comparatively small extent of country is opened up in this island by means of the locomotive ; and yet the good folk of Otago are agitating for the speedy construction of a central railway in that province, the Canterbury people—or at least those who have influence and property at stake in the “ City of the Plains ” —giving their strict attention to securing a line from Christchurch to the West Coast. We will not go so far M to assert that the lines referred to are not required; but this we say, that the hitherto neglected centre of the North Island has a claim for some attention from the Government, and there can be no doubt about the financial result of the construction of a line of railway from Wellington to Auckland. In the South Island, the greater portion of the public estate has been sold or leased, while in this island there is a vast extent of land to be disposed of for the public benefit. Unfortunately, the “representation" in the North Island has not been quite so powerful as in Canterbury and Otago, and, therefore, in nearly all political struggles for a plunge at the Treasury plums the lions of the country north of Cook’s Straits have been placed in the back-ground. Taking the vast district of Poverty Bay as an example, there is no part of the South Island of equal importance to Gisborne that has not had a large amount of public money spent on harbor and other improvements, while there appears to be a difficulty in procuring the small sum voted for outlay in this locality. Yet, the southerners do not appear to be satisfied, if we may judge by the opinions of the Press of Canterbury and Otago. In a late issue of our esteemed contemporary the Christchurch Press a rather facetious article appeared, in which ridicule was attempted to be cast on the efforts made to survey the King country for the main trunk line, and insinuations appeared that the work entailed a “ sheer waste of money,” without any good practical results. True, Mr. Carkeek failed to find a good route for the railway ; but, at the very time when the Press was jubilant over his failure, Mr. Rockford's survey-party had successfully explored the country through which the central main trunk railway could be easily taken. The difficulty of finding a practicable track through the King country has been solved, and there is the assurance that the line would run for the most part through first-class land. Is it not advisable, then, we ask, to construct the main trunk railway of the North Island ? Or, must this necessary work be deferred to permit a large amount of public money being expended in Canterbury and Otago ? It

is very evident that selfish propensities mark the acts of public men in the South, and they do not scruple to bring very much pressure to bear to attain their object—even though their aim be glaringly unjust and the palpable results of their actions most injurious to the best interests of the people of this island. There is really no substantial excuse that the political sharks can offer for their grasping attempts to secure the expenditure of large sums of public money in the South, —they cannot point to any just reason why railroads should be made in the Middle Island in preference to the North, and the whole agitation simply resolves itself into a scramble for the outlay of money in districts for the benefit of property-holders. The sticCCss of the Southern members so far in obtaining the lion's share of public money shows clearly the necessity that exists for a most careful choice of representatives of the people in the various districts of this island, and we trust that the electors will, when the opportunity occurs, select gentlemen of ability, good standing, and integrity to take their places in the House of Repre seatatives. It would bo perfect folly to elect men who do not possess the power to command the respect and strict attention of the House to officiate as representatives of the people in this island, and we trust that some properly-qualified members will find a place where ability and firmness are necessary to secure a fair share of the money for distribution. A central main trunk railway for this island is one of the most necessary public works that could be undertaken, as on its construction will depend, in a great measure, the opening up of a vast extent of good country, and it is to be hoped that the northern representatives of the people will not rest content until they have secured a vote of a sufficient sum of money to carry the project out successfully.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBS18840131.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 54, 31 January 1884, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
864

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1884. THE NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE OF RAILWAY. Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 54, 31 January 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1884. THE NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE OF RAILWAY. Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 54, 31 January 1884, Page 2

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