WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1695, 17 May 1883, Page 2

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

The steamer British Queen sailed for Lyttelton this evening. At the fifth annual meeting of the Colonial Insurance Company, the report and balance - sheet (previously telegraphed) were adopted. The declaration of a dividend was carried. The retiring directory and auditors were re-elected, after which the meeting closed. The Court of Appeal opened this morning, but in consequence of two of the judges not having arrived, was adjourned until Monday. Steps arc being taken in connection with the private enquiry and survey for the middle route of the proposed railway to connect Wellington with Auckland. The sub-committee of the Chamber of Commerce met yesterday, to enquire and report as to the best route for the main trunk railway through the North Island. Sir W. Fox attended by request, and gave valuable information as to the character of the country lying between Marton on this side and the present Waikato terminus of the railway at Te Awamutu. He also expressed his views as to the piacticability of carrying the line by that route and its suitability for European settlement. The sub-committee also received and considered the report made by surveyors as to the middle route referred to, and. it is understood that the length was reported to be 170 miles, and the cost of construction professionally estimated to average the low rate of £5000 per mile. This would give the approximate total of £850,000, being £150,000 lessthan the million voted by Parliament for completing the North Island trunk railway. The sub-committee, before reporting in detail to the Chamber, have decided to obtain further specific information.