The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 9.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1201, 9 March 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

TUESDAY, MARCH 9.

Equal and exact justice to nil men, Ot whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

The question whether or not there shall be a branch line of railway to Cambridge, has now arrived at the stage when decisive and energetic action becomes absolutely necessary. The committee appointed by the public meeting of the Cambridge settlers, at the end of January last, have, by the promptitude which has characterised all their doings, earned the thanks of those for whom they have been acting. Before many weeks had elapsed they had canvassed for subscriptions — many of which, by the way, have not been forthcoming — engaged an engineer, examined the alternative routes proposed, decided upon that m their opinion most suitable, and now, at the end of a couple of months, find themselves m possession of all the information necessary to engage m the work of constructing the line at any moment. Here their duties properly terminate, and were they aware of the final determination of the Government on the subject of the branch line from the ThamesWaikato railway, it is more than probable that they would set about at once calling a meeting of the settlers with a vieiw to further action. So far as the committee, as such, is concerned, it is clear that little more can be done by them, and if they succeed m getting an intelligible answer from the Minister, one upon which they can base their future action, they will have succeeded m accomplishing what deputations m all parts of the Colony have labored for m vain for years past. If, however, they do find, as inferred by one of the members, that the Government intend to construct Breakell's line, the whole project of a railway from Cambridge, via fcho Narrows, to Ilukuhia must

be abandoned. But should this not be the case there remains only one course open, if the idea of railway communication is as favorably entertained now as it was some two or three months ago, and that is, for the settlers one and all to unite m carrying the scheme to a conclusion. Unanimous action is the one tiling by whicli they can hope to succeed. To the line adopted by the committee, whatever arguments — and there are strong ones — might be used m favor of the others, the strongest support ought now to be accorded ; it has received the approval of Mr Gwynneth, and can be cheaply made and efficiently worked. Indeed, the report published m Saturday's issue needs no commentary ; the offer of the engineer to construct the line for the sum named, and to give sufficient security for its due peformance, is by far the best commentary which could be furnished. That the line would pay seems to be generally admitted on all sides, and the figures used m Mr Gwynneth's report, satisfactory as they are, appear to be justly adduced. To sum up, though little can, or ought to, be done until it is known finally what course the Government intend to pursue, we hope we have succeeded m showing what remains to be done when that event is accomplished.