The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4759, 8 April 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1884.

It is somewhat gratifying to see that the new Minister for Public Works is paying some attention to the argent wants of our long-neglected district, as a perusal of a letter received from the department by the County Council, which appears elsewhere, is eridence of. In past years the Thames district generally seems to have been "under a ban" when Government favors were in the coarse of distribution, and the accession to office by Mr Mitchelson is apparently a fortunate event for. this portion of the Province. Vain efforts have, from time to time, been made to obtain Government expenditure on necessary works around us, not only in the direction of assisting to keep main roads in order, and other essentials, but in the matter of helping a local company to construct a railway, which, it must be ad* mitted is absolutely required, when the circumstances of the case arc considered, and its exigencies fully reflected upon. The County Council was certainly fortunate enough—upon complying with the law —to secure certain votes under the " Boads and Bridges Construction Act," and this even entailed considerable trouble, but the grants made were certainly not greater than our necessities demanded; doubtless, were it no so, we would not have been able to chronicle the success attendant on our applications for what we have now received. His Excellency during his recent visit spoke in high, but fully warranted, terms of the grand country remaining to be opened up in our vicinity, and to do this—it must be patent to anyone acquainted with our town and country —a railway is required. In official quarters our district has appeared to be either a terra incognita, or justice has been denied us. Of little avail have been numerous applications made for a trifling return of taxation, the money granted to

be used on public works. It is not only the mining industry the district is depend ent upon; we have a large tract of coun*> try within our boundaries, and to successfully use our acres, and encourage the expenditure of capital upon them,' it is necessary that easy access should be proTided. Not only should road traffic be attended to, but easier and more expeditious transit should be provided for produce. The people of the district, recognising these undeniable facts, shewed their |willingness to undertake the con^ struction of a railway line from Thames i to Te Aroha, and did not even ask the Government for monetary assistance, they merely applied for what was allowed by law—subject to governmental consent. They required a reservation and grantit.'g of land to fen extent allowed to other railway projects, but they were refused on various grounds, all of a nature calculated to impress an ordinary but thoughtful observer with the idea that the land asked for was wanted by somebody else, but time was required by that somebody to acquire it, and when it wes secured, the railway company might have a " try at" obtaining it. Considerable conjecture is unnecessary to enable anyone to fathom the depths wherein lies the source of the obstruction to the line referred to. Too often the matter has been spoken and written of. Now that we have at the head of Public Works affairs a Minister who has apparently undertaken office with a firm determination to do his duty fairly and fearlessly,—wbo has adopted as bis motto the old "Fiat Justitiaruat ceelum," —we may hope that our requirements will at any rate be considered, and that the very moderate request made to the Government by the Thames Eailway Company will receive the favorable consideration of the Cabinet which is due to it.