The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3942, 17 August 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1881.

By t-lie diligence of our special correspondent at'Welliugton, we are enabled to lay the substance of the Railways Construction Bill just issued by the Government before our readers. As we have already pointed out, there is very lit tie prospect of the Thames and Waikato line being formed by the Government, other than the portions already in progress ; so the next best thing will be to take advantage of the provisions of the new bill just introduced by the Ministry, and which is likely to become law during the present session. Acting upon the suggestion given by us last session, Sir George Grey and Mr Speight took the steps they did in connection with the Railway Construction Bill of that session—and, by-the-by, Mr Speight never had,the generosity to acknowledge publicly his indebtedness to others for the idea. If the present bill —the main provisions of which we concur with—is passed, there is nothing to prevent a company being formed to eoa^plete the line from Kopu to Te Aroha, as probably the money to be voted by the House will cover the cost of the section between Morrinsville and, the Thames River. If such a company is formed, the Borough Council, for a .consideration, might be induced to lease or make over the section from Grahamstown to Tararu, which is now the property of the municipality, and the Government would probably grant the Kopu section, so that a company would be able to work the line from the Thames to the head of navigation on the Waihou river, or to the terminus of the Government branch. This is a subject which should now exercise the attention of our public meu, and as soon as the Act now before the House is passed, advantage should be taken of its provisions, and we believe there is every probability of it becoming law, from the fact that so many Government supporters are anxious for it, The following is the substance of the Bill:—The Railway Construction Land Bill provides that the Governor in council may enter into contracts with railway companies—(l.) Providing for construction of railways wholly or partly through crown lands, to be worked by the company either for a specified term of years or otherwise. (2.) Providing for a like live to become the property of the colony. (3.) Providing that such railway shall be well and faithfully constructed at the expense of the company. (4.) Sotting forth the terms upon which, the railway*shaU be

banded over to the colony. (5.) To be maintained and worked by the eompauy stating the time within which the railway may be purchased or taken over by the Government. (6.) Providing what are a of crown lands shall be set apart oa either side of the line, to be dealt with and the mode and time of selection of such land ; provided that when a contract has been entered into, Government shall cause a sufficient area of Crown Lands for a distance not exceeding fifteen miles on each side of suck proposed line of railway* or if there shall not be sufficient land ou each side, then upon one side of the proposed line of such railway to be withdrawn from sale, and set apart for the purpose of giving effect to any such contract, such lands to be surveyed in convenient blocks of not more than 2000, nor less than 100 acres ; the maximum total of Crowu Lauds to be granted to any company, shall not exceed in value 30 per cent of the cost of such line. Power of purchase is given tbe Government, of any line after tbe expiration of ten years from the date of the opening of the entire line, upon giving twelve months notice; the price to be decided by arbitration.