THE RAILWAYS.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 231, 21 March 1866, Page 3

THE RAILWAYS.

(TO THE EDITOE OE THE SOUTHLAND TIMES.) By request, we publish tbe following letter of the Railway Engineer, as read and laid on the Council table. " Southland Railway Engineer Office, 22nd February, 1866. "His Honor the Superintendent, " Sib,-— ln acceding to the proposition coatained ia your Honor's letter, of this

date, I have the honor of stating that I am willing to continue my services on the footing proposed, pending the report of the commission to enquire into tbe excess of expenditure on the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway, over the amount originally contemplated by the Provincial G-overnment; on this understanding, I am obliged by your Honor's offer, and beg to accept it. It would appear possible that the delay in the appointment of this commission of competent Engineers from tbe adjoining provinces may have arisen from some hesitation on tbe part of the G-overnment, arising from the financial embarrassments, under which this Province has for a long time labored; tbe appointment of tbis commission originated in a motion made at my instigation with the object of relieving the public mind of impressions created by tbe assertions then made, and still uttered by ignorant and designing men, and as I am anxious that the earliest investigation may be made in order to allay the uneasiness so caused, I have ihe honor of very respectfully submitting to tbe consideration of the Government, my readiness to bear half tbe costs of this commission, provided tbe whole of the expenses to be incurred in respect of tbe commission be limited to an expenditure of £150, and I would very respectfully hope that the gentlemen to be appointed may be communicated with, at the earliest convenience, in order that an early report may relieve me from published abuse which I am in a position to prove that I have little merited. — I have the honor to be Sir, your obedient servant. R. M. M__ic___s_.