DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 383, 10 July 1889, Page 5

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

Wellington, July 6. A deputation consisting of Sic Georg e Grey, Colonel Fraser, Messrs Goldie, Hobbs* Marchanb, Monk, Moss, Samuel, T. Thompson, R. Thompson, and Withy, waited on the Premier with reference to the position of the North Island Trunk Railway and its connection with Stratford. Sir George Grey introduced the question, stating that the gentlemen with whom he was associated had met and given some consideration to the question, and had come to the conclusion to ask the Government to construct the remaining portion of the line between the Porotau tunnel and share at present constructed, and further to hear any explanation from the Government as to their intentions beyond that. They knew, of course, that the money in hand would nob complete this work even to Taranaki, which was the less costly route of the two. Messrs Goldie, Withy, Moss, Thompson and others also spoke. Sir Harry Atkinson, in reply, was exceedingly guarded. He said to complete the line to the tunnel would cost about £100,000, and to connect the tunnel with New ■ Plymouth via Stratford, by unlnetalled road would cost about £70,000. There were no difficulties in the way. The distance was about ninety miles ; most of it through very good country. He would not commit himself in any way, but promised to consider the suggestions made, and would furnish all information, with the intentions of the Government, in the Public Works Statement/,