THE WELLINGTON MASTERTON RAILWAY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 9119, 20 May 1880, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON MASTERTON RAILWAY.

<, If 110 unforseen circumstances occur to check the work now in progress, tlie railway communication will be open through to Masterton some time in August next. The Waioliiue bridge is completed and the engines now run over it. The cuttings for the line are progreasing very rapidly, and the engines can now run to within three miles of Carterton. The line could be opened as far as Carterton by the end of July, but at present, wo believe, it ia the intention of the authorities not to commence traffic till the Mastertou section is completed. This, we think, is a mistake. We are of opinion that it is very desirable that running should be commenced to Carterton as soon as it can be done, as a very largo timber traffic may bo expected forthwith. 1 he contract for the construction of the line from Keatherston to Mastorton was let to Mr Dickson, who, it will bo remembered, was unfortunately killed by the fall of a crane at Patea some time ago. The amount of Mr Dickson's tender was about £52,000, which included the construction of the Tauhere~ nikau and Waiohine bridges. The trustees of the deceased preferred to allow the Public Works Department to complete the work, and accordingly the Government took it over. Of course, any balance between the contract price and the actual cost of the work will bo handed over to tho truateeß. As tho opening of the line to Masterton will bo an important epoch ia the history of the Provincial District of Wellington, we would suggest the advisableness of inaugurating it by a public ceremony, and that cheap trains should be run between the city and inland termini.— Evening Post,