THE ORETI RAILWAY.

Southland Times, Issue 1043, 23 October 1868, Page 2

THE ORETI RAILWAY.

' ' (TO THB EDITOB OP THE SCJTTTHIiATn) TIMBS), Sib—l believe a good many people think that the Provincial Government is mysteriously and unnecessarily silent as to its intentions with reference to the completion of the Oreti Bail way. However much,we may regret the "tender " scandle, ,we cannot accept it as a sufficient reason for one of the tenders not having been conditionally accepted. It would be folly the most apparent, for pxe Government persistently to refuse • to open and accept the lowest, upon this ground, as it does not follow, as a matter of course, that the acceptance of a tender implies the immediate carrying out: of the contract, It is transparently evident that a determined efl'jrt should be made to proceed with: ItU6,wor,katl tU6,wor,kat once.: The plant and rolling stock must be by this time on the way out from England, and it will be a great pity if the Bummer is allowed to pass without the

rails being laid. The completion^ of the Northern tine is now'nd dwputable question as between Koadi and 'Railways, for whatever difference of opinion there may he as to the wisdom of constructing it at all. there can be none as to the policy of finishing it now that so much has been done .It would be madness to allow works which haver cost the Province nearly sixty thousand pounds to remain unproductive. ■-'-■ ;_ ; The excuse madelby the Government that they had hot absolutely got the money to pay for the /Contracts advertised for,owing to the General Government having avoided putting a promise in writing, that it would give the aid they formerly offered, is not satisfactory: ¥c cannot °ccept this as a fair reason for delay. The Pbovtncia- Tebastteeb stated in the Council that from a conversation he had had with a capitalist, during his trip North, he was satisfied if the railway were proceeded with that i land to a far larger amount than was re- [ quired for this work, would be purchased ! in a very short time, and the treasury placed in ample funds to complete the work without interfering with road making operations. That such would be the case I have no doubt ; but independent of this, we maintain that in justice to the contractors some decision should be come to. If the matter is allowed to remain in abeyance, it is questionable if we shall ever again have the opportunity of finishing this line at the same cost as. we have at present. Contractors from a distance will not a second time go to the expense and trouble attendant upon visiting a distant locality, preparing tenders, &c, to be told that the Government is not in funds to go nn with the works contemplated ; and when tenders are again called for the number of tenderers will be far fewer, and those: more exacting than in the present instance. In fact, if the existing opportunity of completing the work is misse'U, it is doubtful if the line will ever be finished. I believe that the Provincial Government would not only be justified in accepting the lowest tender, but would receive the approbation of the people of the province, and the support of the General Government. Mr Staffoed is not the man to shirk a responsibility, and now that all chance of a change , of Ministy is gone, we might with confidence proceed with the works. Delays are at all times dangerous, and in this instance delay cannot fail to prove detrimental to the best interests of the province. Ido not wish the Provincial Executive to recklessly proceed with the work, but maintain that one of the tenders ought lo be accepted conditionally, operations to commence immediately the financial negotiations have been perfected, without all the procrastination of calling for fresh tenders, and other red tape delays that must arise unless this course is adopted. Although for a time the great question of a reform in the constitution is postponed, great changes must soon take place, and whatever form they may assume there is no doubt as to this Province loosing, the full control of its Land Fund. Southland cannot afford to miss the present opportunity of pushing forward public works of a reproductive character. In the event of a change of Ministry, and the 1?ox party coming into power, annexation to Otago will be the nature of the change advocated, and if once our land proceeds get into the Dunedin Treasury, all hope of either completing our Northern Railway, or continuing to prosecute road making, will be at an end; It is therefore the duty of the Provincial Government to act with energy and determination in this matter. The. Stafford .Ministry, have given , unmistakeable evidence of a desire to assist this' Province to perfect the Railway works commenced, but which,, from unfortunate circumstances, still remain in an unfinished state. It is still in a position to do it, and therefore the opportunity of obtaining all the advantages arising from the " free use of our land revenue should not be lost. Hesitation on the part of the Provincial Government at the present time might prove highly injurious to the progress of the province.—^Tour's, &c. Citizen. Invercargill, Oct. 22,: 1868.