LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS. [PER TELEGRAPH.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1464, 19 November 1881, Page 3

LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS. [PER TELEGRAPH.]

The Press Association wires last night : — The directors of the WellingtonManawatu railway have concluded all their preliminary arrangements, and to-day they concluded the terms of their agreement with Government. These are of a highly satisfactory nature. The company's solicitor is instructed to draw up the formal contract on the terms settled. The terminus of the line is to be at Loughburn, about four miles from Palmerston North, this being found much the preferable route to that of the Foxton one. Government do not require any security from the company beyond an undertaking to expend £50,000 within the first year ; being content beyond that to rely on the powers given by clause 123 of the Railway Construction Act. Five years is allowed to complete the line. The allocation of land has been fixed between the Government and the company, and the valuation made. The line will be 82 miles in length, and the company is to be entitled to £123,000 worth of land. A recent Government survey of the proposed main line through Manawatu Gorge shows it can be completed for about £10,000 per mile, or £90,000 from Palmeraton to Woodville. As between Napier and Wellington, this lino will be 33 miles shorter than the line from Napier through the Wairarapa. Financial arrangements to enable the company to commence work at once are likely to be completed in a few days. Representations have been made to Government that the Property Assessment Amendment Act of last session operates unfairly upon wool-growers. In very many instances sheep were returned at 5s each, and owners claimed a reduction as a liability for advances obtained against their wool because it was out ot the colony.