SOUTHLAND RAILWAY WORKS.

Southland Times, Issue 1522, 12 January 1872, Page 2

SOUTHLAND RAILWAY WORKS.

An adjourned meeting of the Railway Committee was held on TCuesday evenins: in the Provincial Hotel* The Mayor presided. Letters were read froniMrß.Hallenstein, Queenstown, and the Municipal Councils of Queeristown, Cromwell, Clyde, and Alexandra, relative to the extension of the northern line to Kingston. The chairman stated that since last meeting a deputation had waited upon His Honor the Superintendent relative to various matters connected with railway construction. Generally speaking, the result of that interview was stated to have been as follows : — First, with regard to the Mataura line, the deputation were given to understand that there was no likelihood of any unnecessary delay taking place in carrying on the work. The pressing importance of the first section, as far as Woodlands, taking precedence of the rest of the work, was admitted, and the deputation given to understand that the Superintendent would be prepared to recommend such a step if required. Regarding the. line to Kingston, His Honor stated that so soon as the permanent plans for the Mataura line were complete, the other would be gone on with. These assurances, the chairman continued to say, were so far satisfactory. He had, however, to remind them that since the interview, the Government had issued a Ministerial programme of the railway works to be undertaken, as also the order in which it was proposed they should be proceeded with. That statement did not present matters in quite so satisfactory a light, at least as regards the speedy construction of the Kingston line. la drawing attention to that fact, lie pointed out that by still later intelligence it was notified that the newly-appointed Minister of Public Works for the Middle Island was about to visit the province, and he (the speaker) thought they would agree in saying that it was very desirable no effort should be spared to get Mr Beeves to visit Southland. There was another point arising out of that interview to which he alluded. It referred to the immigration part of their duties. His Honor introduced the subject of immigration to the notice of the deputation, and gave cogent reasons for urging the committee to form itself into a local agency for the purpose of promoting the interests of the district in that portion of the public policy. He thought the suggestion a very excellent one, and concluded by recommending it to the favorable consideration of the committee. The first portion of the explanation was discussed, after which it was agreed, on the motion of Mr J. T. Martin—" That the chairman be requested to communicate by telegram with the Superintendent, requesting to know if the Minister of Public Works had arrived in Otago, and what probability there was of his visiting Southland." Pending the arrival of the information sought on that point, the Committee agreed that nothing further should be done in the matter of railway construction. The proposal anent immigration was next taken into consideration. Statements were made to the meeting showing that the favorable condition provided by Government for residents in the place bringing out their friends were not properly understood. A long discussion ensued as to the best means for remedying this drawback. It was eventually agreed, on the motion of Mr Lumsden, that, with the view of carrying out His Honor's recommendation, the Government be requested to give publicity to the conditions referred to above by advertisement and circular. The meeting then adjourned.

We observe from the columns of the Lake WaJcatip Mail, to hand by last night's post, that the ministerial programme relating to the construction of railways has created someuneasiness on account of the apparent delay for completing the Kingston extension. A correspondence on the subject was entered into which resulted in the following telegraphic communication, dated "Wellington, 30th ultimo, being received in Queenstown from Mr Haughton, the ex-member for the district : — " Tour letter of December 22nd, received. I have placed it before the Minister. The Winton and Kingston line is more than three times the length of the Tuapeka, and cannot, therefore, reasonably be expected to be completed within the same period. If you will calculate the lengths of the two lines, and the times of completion respectively, you will find that the "Winton and Kingston line is placed in three times as good a position as the Tuapeka. Moreover, the time estimated is not unalterable, and may be changed to suit circumstances."

In reply to the telegraphic message forwarded by the Mayor to His Honor the Superintendent, on behalf of the Hail way Committee, asking if the Miniater of Public Works for the Middle Island (Mr Reeves) had arrived in Dun— edin, and if he would visit Invercargill, the following intimation was received yesterday afternoon-. — Mr Keevea has arrived. He intends to visit Invercargill if he can at all manage it. (Signed) J. Macajtdbew.