THE WAIRARAPA RAILWAY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2385, 28 August 1886, Page 2

THE WAIRARAPA RAILWAY.

[From the Wairarapa Mercury, August , 31st, 1870.] ■ i , In reference to forming a railway from Wellington to the Seventy Mile -Bush, thence diverging east and west to Napier and Now Plymouth, through Wangsnui and Patea, Mr Yogol made the following remarks in answer to the deputation that waited ujh.u him on the. 24th iust" In repaid to the representation respecting the particular works mentioned oy the deputation, I have to state that the Government do not by any means undomlne the importance o( the lines referred to.. They recognise Hint, all a means. toward settling the forth jsland, the construction of those railways would be of the highest possible value | but they are also of opiuion that it would be found desirable that those lines should be constructed in connection with plans for the introduction of sottlors, to be located upon portions of the district through whioh the lines would pass. The construct of two lines will render available immense tracts of lands, such a*.tho Seventy Mile Bush, Manawatu blocks, and a great .quantity of land in Taranaki. It appears to the Government that this land may hot only be made by means of contributing towards the'eost of tho radway, but that, concurrently with tlw construction of the lineß,.. there should be' carried out a plan for tho introduction of' settlers. It might or might not be necessary to add some small guarantee to the payments fflade inland. materially considering all the -circumstances, and ■with every dlsposition to see. those lines receive prompt attention; it appears to the Government, that Hie end jn view is as Iwely.tQ be gained by their abstaining from asking specific authority from the Assembly until, next session:: as it would be difficult now, without prejudice to the ncdooiation. whioh "might take place,sufflcienfc'to define the nature of the ar. rangementa whioh it wa« desirable to make There is finother objection to prematurely Becking a specific authority from the Assembly. It might, and probably would, prejudice the negotiations still proceding of tlie acquisition of part of the Seventy Mile Binsh. But I am prepared, on Behalf of the Oovornmont, to assure yon that, during tho vecosa, surveys will be made (if the linet—all particulars to the probable nature of the traffic obtained—that so . much of the land as can .be secured will be set apart for railway and imagination purposes-that an.en-, deavnur will be made- to open up negotiation's with those willing to construct the lines upon favorable term,—and that . fujl intorraation oa. the subject will be laid before the the Assombly next session, topethor with such proposals baßed upon that information, as inay seem to the • Government best calculated to effect the object in view, witji advantage to tha colony."