MR MITCHELSON AT NAPIER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1650, 2 April 1884, Page 2

MR MITCHELSON AT NAPIER.

'•• (From the Telegraph.) A special meeting of the members of the Chamber of Commerce was held toddy (March 28th) at 2,30 p.m., for the purpose of meeting the Hon, Mr Mitclielson, Mr Kinross occupied tho chair, and said tho Committee wished to interview the Minister for the purpose of pushing forward the railway lo Woodville. Mr Mitclielson said he intended to push on the railway as fast as possible, but he-did not think it could be opened toTuhorite till January next but he wished to open to Matamau as early jas possible. With regard to Masterton to "Woodville there had beeu greatjtrouble with the contractors, but satisfactory progress was now being made; Both, sections from Woodville to Masterton, and from Woodville to Napier, had exceeded the votes for.'he works which had been passed by Parliament. . ,

Mr Tanner inquired if last year's votes had been expended, or whether any of the amounts of the previous year had not been allowed to lapso ? The Secretary said, according to the figures of the allocation of the Public Works statement, £30,000 had not yet been expended,

Mr Mitchelson said it was intended to take a vote out of loan next session for the purpose of proceeding with the work. It was the intention of the Government to take a vote out of the loan to complete the work as fast as possible. Without going into another loan it would be impossible to complete the line. It was always known that the amount voted was not sufficient for the completion of the lino. Mr W. G, Smith thought there was a misapprehension as regarded the .£55,000 voted last year. That had been all spent. Mr Tanner said the blame rested with their representatives in not getting sufficient money voted for the line,

Mr Smith said it was not fair of Mr Tanner to attack the representatives. What was asked was that the line should be completed to Woodville from this'end. With' the other section they, had nothing to do, and their inter fereiice would have been resented by the Wairarapa members,

Mr Tanner said the breaks in the line from Wellington was the cause of much loss, A lino could not bo expected to pay with gaps here and there. It would bp,an advantage to have the line completed throughout. Mr; McVay said it was no part of their business to push on the Masterton to Woodyijie section;. in fact it would not be for the interest of the province to, do so.

Mr Mitchelson said the opening to Matauiau, speaking as the result of his personal observation, would be made in about two months' time,

Mr Kinrose said there was a great deficiency of rolling stock on tho lines. Mr Mitchelson said that was the case all over the colony. A large number of engines would arrive shortly. Trucks and- carriages were made in the colony.

Mr Kinross: Will they be sent up here or left at Wellington? '' sfr Mitchelson: Wellington is well supplied, Carriages were now being , ordered, as comfortable as'those oh tho Southernlhm

MrMo?ay said the carriages on the other lines were more •comfortable than those used on the Napier 1ine....,Th0 carriages on the local line were not. at all suitable for along journey, .-;■■,■■<.,'. Mr Mitchelson said,' if the Napier ■<''■>■ ■ ..people preferred the American' 'car'- 1 ./'"!'* riages, they could, have them,, .Spur'';.;''"' 1 were now being made, at a oosi p£ <U : <. '',£ 800 each, and would soon be finished;■••<•• -lv