THE AUCKLAND AND MEROER RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 277, 19 February 1874, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND AND MEROER RAILWAY.

Now that wo have throe Ministers in Auckland, including the Premier and the M mister of Public Works, who are accompanied bv tbe Enginppr-in-Cbief, a favorable opportunity present* itbelf ibi tho provincial authorities, and indeud for all persons interested in thp city and province of Auckland, to urge ou Minuusrs ilio necessity that exists for ipeedily pressinp on with the completion of the Auckland and Mercer rail waj. By toutract timo the line to Mercer will not be completed until some time in the latter part of 1875, fully a year a half hence By ordinary diligence it could with ease be finished and in working order considerably within the present ypar. It is unnecessary to point oat the desirableness ot oaring the line in regular operation xhe delay which has tnkpn place already, or rather the many months which ,hare been consumed under a too long time contract, have caused an absolute loss to the colony and to the province, Large suras have been spent in the construction during the paat three years, and no return whatever has ieeulu.il, for the only portion of the line opened is to Onehunga, and that has not yet officially come into the hands of the Government. The delay is altJO a loss to the settlers, and to the commercial community, for it is needless to say that the rapidity ami cheapness of conveyance of merchandise, produce, sheep and cattle, and coal, gives a great stimulus to trade and settlement, and adds to the percentage of the profits which spring therefrom Moreover, the working of the line would maLe a direct return to compensate for the mtereat of capital expended , which at present yields nothing, while the colony would be earlier buneilLlod by the advantages which would accrue to this province through the influences of speedy communication. These &re suoh patont facts th.it it seems almost superfliioiis even to indicate their existence, of which every one must be aware. They, however, point, directly to the conclusion that it would be far better to arrange with the contractors for a tinal completion of the line ard it« being 1 handed ovor in full working order at latest within the present year. The only diificulty is that contractors are "so keen,'' as tuo phraso is, uud ttiat. at any proposed alteration in the terms of contract, at the prospect of "extras," they prick up their earb and enlarge their demands so that it is tar from easy to deal with them on equitable terms. If rea«onable eonn*el* prevail the requisite arrangements for a i speedy acceleration of tlie work* could be accomplished on terms which might be favourable to each side. We observe that his Honor the Superintendent is about to return at once to Auckland in order to confer with Mr Vogel on matters relating to the provtnee, and we commend this -übjectto the early attention of hw Houor and his Executive — Crots.