The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3616, 29 July 1880, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1880.

In a late issue we published that portion of the Railway Commissioners' report having reference to the Thames and Waikato railway. We cannot say we were surprised at its tenor, for little more was anticipated when it was known who the gentlemen were that formed the Com* mission; taking also into consideration the often expressed views of the Hall Government. That it could be otherwise with us wonld indeed be matter for surprise ; for, while the late Government were in power, every opportunity was taken by the Opposition to run down our line of railway, and to call in question the legality of the expenditure then authorised, so tliat to fail to give some reasons as proof of the assertions then made by members who are now on the Government benches, was only what might be expected from gentlemen appointed by the present Government. The Commissioners have fully carried out their in. structions, but the reasons given are most paltry; in one part they say, " The work as a whole would be most premature, and we can only support the present construe* tion of three or four miles towards Moirinsville." Of course, make that portion for the benefit of the Fiako Swamp Company, and the owners of property in the Fiako district. Then in the matter of the Thames end, " the good water connection as far as the Te Aroha renders a line of railway unnecessary." How these gentlemen could make such remarks seem strange, for in the first place the water communication is not good, and in the next, if it were, experience has shown that railways constructed alongside large rivers, as in the case of the Waikato, have been benefited rather than otherwise by such rivers. The report further refers to the reclamation works at Grahamstown and Shortland, which are characterised as unjustifiable. Prom these remarks a just estimate may be formed of the amount of knowledge the Commissioners are possessed of, the circumstances under which these works were undertaken, and their qualifications to pass an opinion upon such subjects. They were evidently not aware that when these works were authorised, it was fully the intention of the Government of the day to proceed with the entire line, and also that at that time this portion was the only one that could have been proceeded with, from the fact that the land required for the line had not been arranged for either from the native or European owners. At the time we speak of the section from Shortland to the bridge could not have been let for formation, neither could sections on the other side of the Kauaeranga, so that the Government of Sir George Grey, with the intention of constructing the

whole line of railway, were quite justified in proceeding with such portion as they could. As the report has been presented, and as Government no doubt will act upon it, especially on the case of the Thames line, there is little use in discussing tb« unfair statements made in that document in reference to our line; but a far wiser course will be to discuss the next best means to have the wishes of the people of the district carried out in this matter of a railway. In the first place Sir George Grey should be asked to present the bill prepared some years ago under the District Bail ways Act, and authority sought for the construction of the line under the provisions of that Act. Capital could no doubt be obtained as well now as in years past, for the prospects of the upper country have rather improved than otherwise. The Borough Council and the County should at once take steps in the matter, or a public meeting should be called, and a committee appointed to interest themselves in this question—one of the most vital importance to the present and future of the Thames district.