The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 804, 11 August 1877, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ox whatever state or persuasion, religious o political , • / # # * * Here shall the Pres? the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence aud unbribed by gain

;DOISAJDP

Is answer to a question from Mr Cox, m the House, on Thursday, it was stated by ivfv Ormond that instructions would bo sent by the first mail from Wellington to Auckland to call for tenders for the extension of the railway line from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton, aud then to Ohaupo. No mention was made of the still further extension to Te Awamutu, but that, we believe, will be also a matter of no great time. Although, the survey itself was made some time ago, an unforeseen delay had arisen, and a deviation m the line made a second survey of a portion of it necessary, which has only been completed within the last fortnight, or three weeks, so that probably the plans are not yet before j the Department m Wellington. It is satisfactory, however, to find that tenders* for the construction of the line from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton and on to Ohaupo are to be at once called for. This comprises a distance of some twenty miles altogether, and on the first portion of it, that between Ngaruawahia and Hamilton, the work once commenced may be speedily constructed. JNot so, probably, however, m the case of the latter half, between Hamilton and Ohaupo. Cox's swamp may possibly cause both delay and trouble, and therefore it is with some satisfaction we notice the wording of the telegram published elsewhere, — "to Hamilton, and then Co Ohaupo." Originally it was, we believe, the intention to let the entire length of this twenty miles between Ngaruawahia and Ohaupo m one contract, but if we read the word " then " above quoted as bear ing the construction that the work will be let m two separate contracts the public will have much cause for congratulation. The work between Ngaruawahia and Hamilton, as we have stated, is an easy matter, and could probably be completed by the contractor m lrora three to four months. In such case we might have the railway to Hamilton opened early m 1878, whereas if the whole work be let m one contract, it will not be opened until completed the entire distance, and that may mean an addition of six, eight, or even twelve months. The advantage, too, for this reason, of letting the work m two contracts is as great to the Government , as to the public for every length often miles the line is extended, and especially m the case of an extension which conneots it with such a place as Hamilton, must add materially to its traffic returns. ■ ♦ The meeting at Le Quesne's Hall called for Monday next, to consider the best means to be adopted to procure the erection of a traffic bridge at Hamilton, wjll doubtless

he well attended) for it largely affects the interest of fche residents and ratepayers of the four highway 'districts by whose chairmen tho meeting has been called — and none the less so that an impression apj ears to hare got abroad that ..there is adesire on the part of" c^tSn^interJBsted persons m getting^jhe qi|estion *of a traffic bridge tq^ the idijrect connection of the two townships shelved altogether. It is, of course, impossible to predict what may be' ihe immediate outcpme,of.such.publio. meeting, _but there is one course which, if we are to have a bridge at all, must beset aside altogether ,jas.. wj«t<U)f farther time and energy, and that is, the further appealing to 1 the Government to undertake the work. . The day of Government wet-nursing has passed away for the country districts, and they must feed themselves and find their own food, too, or starve. We have m New Zealand been spoon, fed by one Government or another until the most we oan|do for ourselves is . to open our mouths and, like the horse leech's daughter, cry " more, more." The questions before the public on Monday night, then, will be, What means can they best take themselves to procure the erection of a bridge ; by whose agency shall it be done; and from what source shall the money necessary for its construction be procured. As we have said m our last issue, the local reserves will form a substantial security for the principal sum that may be required for the construction of a bridge, and the tolls will possibly cover both interest and sinking land, or, so nearly so as to leave but little necessity for the .levying of a special rate. In East Hamilton there cannot be less than from 350 to 400 acres of township reserves, and, m Hamilton West, though the acreage ia leas, not over 250 acres, we believe, thejposition of the land renders it exceedingly valuable. The two country Highway Districts also possess valuable reserves; so that neither, en the score of the fiist cost, nor on that of the annual maintenance, need the money difficulty be an insuperable one. In all probability the tolls, 'as ' we have said, would meet the sum required annually for the interest and sinking fund oi the capital expended, but, even if it did not, the ratepayers of the four districts more immediately interested, that is, of the Hamilton and Kirikiriroa ridings m either county, should willingly meet the deficiency by a special #ate, so great and general an advantage wquld such bridge be to them.' It is perhaps, however, useless to discuss a phase of the matter which may never even be entertained on Monday, but such scheme does seem to us more feasible than any other, we have heard propounded. ' Whatever ■■ is dons, however, let us, on Monday, drop local) and individual jealousies, and, uniting for a common object, put our shoulder to the wheel, and we shall have driven the first pile of tho bridge. .