The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4907, 1 October 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1884.

A disposition appears to exist on the part of the present Government to do justice to the North Island by constructing the main trunk railway line throughout it, and the possibility of internecine warfare, in the matter of route, seems to be the only difficulty in the way of an early completion of arrangements for a commencement* of the work, and threatens to be a cause of its. delay. It would be a misfortune of no inconsiderable magnitude were the interests of the colony interfered with in this matter by provincial prejudices; any feelingg arising in the breasts of representatives in .relation to the way in which their districts may be respectively affected ; or by the action of local magnates or bodies existent along the line of the various routes proposed ; and it is to be hoped that all petty provincial cavilling will be entirely lost sight of, and the question of the line and its route taken into calm consideration with impartiality and a disregard of specious arguments as to alleged merits of one route or another. Ihe Wellington people are anxious to retain the b*>ld they have gained on the trade of the West Coast of this island as far as they can, and every effort has—in a fairly commercial way— been made by them and their representatives to encourage and foster it; therefore they don't require any Northern railway at all—it puts Auckland in tbe position of a competitor with them in business. The extension of their mercantile operations on the East Coast has been of a much more limited character and less profitable than their West Coast connection. The Napier and Gisborne people very naturally desire the line to run through their provincial districts* the opening up of their country being doubtless the basis of their wishes; and the West Coast towns and settlements would hare the railway as near them as possible. All these cooflictions must be somewhat perplexing to those who have to definitely deal with the question, and iEsop'a man with his ass could bardJy hare been more bothered than the Government is .likely to be, in trying lo please everyone in dstermiimig I lie route of this most important work I\ is not that they should be puzzled in fiiit.g the direction } the line w.Ui take, frctn the jpoiot of fitness, so

much as facing the contenders for both sides of the island should they adopt a middle course. One of the main objects of the line and one of the chief advantages to be derived from it is the opening up of the country and its consequent permanent settlement. Its penetration through the heart of* the island and the many palpable advantages attendant on such a procedure should be in themselves sufficiently strong reasons for adopting a cpntral route ; the directness, and the settling characteristics of it being sufficient arguments against any, expensiveness that may be urged in its disfavor. However at variance the opinions held, as regards route, may be, some settlement of the question, it is to be hoped, will speedily take place. If such a consummation should not be effected, there is every daDger of this most important work being delayed. The recommendations of the Select Committee will, of course, have great weight in the House, and it is to be hoped that their determinations will be accepted even by those who are advocates of views of a different nature, as regards route, rather than, by opposing them, the object should be sacrificed.