The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4286, 26 September 1882, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1881.

It is gratifying to learn that the negotiations relative to the construction of the railway are progressing farorably. Mr Sheehan has been interviewing Ministers, and is satisfied with the assurances given. On Saturday we pointed out that the main difficulty lay in finding land near the proposed route to offer to the capitalists as security. It was understood that only some three thousand acres were available. Our correspondent at Wellington, however, puts a much more cheerful aspect on affairs. He telegraphs : — " The negotiations between Mr Sheehan and the Government regarding the con« struction of the Thames Valley Railway under the Railway Construction Act is proceeding quickly and favorably. Yesr terday Mr Sheehan wrote a formal application and fully expects receiving a favorable reply today. He also asked for and received copies of plans, specification, estimates of cost, etc., as prepared by the Public Works Department some time ago, which he proposes handing over to the local bodies. There will be no difficulty as to ihe land required by way of concession. The land acquired by and under negotiation by the Crown in the Thames district amounts to nearly 700,000 acres. Allowing for negotiations which may be abandoned 350,000 acres, there still remains over half a million acres out of which the necessary concession to the promoters can be made without touching any of the- auriferous country at all." Mr Sheehan is hopeful himself. He telegraphed to the Town Clerk yesterday to the following effect:—•" This afternoon had satisfactory interview with the Premier and Publio Works Minister, who both expressed themselves in favor of the proposals. I write officially to-day, and will receive a reply to-morrow, the subi~ stance of which I will telegraph you on receipt. Have telegraphed to the agents, and will be able to let you know their time for visiting the. Thames before I leave. I hope the Thames people will take up the project heartily. 1' The day of the railway seems to be gradually dawn* ing. Surely between a certain amount of land being available and the expressed desire of the residents to tax themselves for railway purposes under the District Railways Act (and we are convinced each i

a vote would be passed if necessary), its construction should now be within the sphere of practicability.