THE RAILWAY SURVEYS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1606, 11 February 1884, Page 2

THE RAILWAY SURVEYS.

MR SMITH'S INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER l<'Oß PUBLIC WORKS.

Having left here by coach on Thursday morning, Mr W. C. Smith, M.E.R., reached Wellington that night, returning to AVoodville by last night's coach, He informs us that owing to Friday being nice clay and a close holiday, he was unable to interview the Minister for Public Works on, that day, but early on Saturday lie waited on him with the resolutions passed at the indignation meeting held on Wednesday night last. After carefully going through them, the Minister admitted that they were very reasonable, and said that lie would, as far as possible, give effect to (hem, In reference to the removal of the Engineer, he stated that it was never intended that Mr Can should close the Public Works Office hern; and that he : will send Mr Holmes luck in a.short time, and if not Mr Holmes, that he will send another engineer in his place as soon as one is available. The office here will be reopened and the survey of the line recommenced and the estimates prepared for tender between Tahorite and Woodville. Immediately the estimates for the coming year arts passed he will call for tenders for the formation of the whole line between the two places. The money for the work being on the loan schedule, all' that was voted by the House will be absorbed in finishing the line at the Tahorito end, and directly the Minister can get a vote he will complete it at the Woodville end. In reference to the opening of the line to Matamau the Minister replied that he is having the rails laid on the line between Makatoku and Matamau and as soon as the work is done he will run a mid-day train to Matamau at which a small station, included in the Tahoraite building contract, just advertised, will be erected, This in itself will be a great advautage, saving as it does nine miles of travelling by road, With reference to the line between Matamau and Tahoraite, the Government have just taken it over from the contractors and will finish it as rapidly as possible. Preparations are in oourse for calling tenders for platelaying and ballasting the line between Matamau and Tahoraite as soon as the work is sufficiently well advanced. The Engineer will be returned to Woodville within six weeks so as to have the work ready for laying before the House when it meets. We 1 think the result of Mr Smith's visit is very satisfactory, and these promises once so definitely made Mr Smith is not the man to allow the Government to shriak from fulfilling their engagements, The Minister evidently recognises the necessity of the works, and we have no doubt than he will now push them on as promised.—Woodville Examiner.