THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2387, 27 October 1887, Page 2

THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

[BY TKI.EGIUTH.— OWN COIIIIESTOXDEST.J Welunuton, Wednesday. With reference to the question of deviaing the Main Trunk Railway our Auckland correspondent telegraphs as follows ; - “The St ar’s Wellington correspondent wires today that nothing has been dune respecting the proposed alteration of the North Island Railway route. It is intended to hold a ineetiog of Auckland and Taranaki members, when all have returned from their holiday trip. It will probably take place about Monday next. It is not yet known what form tl.e movement will assume, but Sir George Grey is prepared to bring in a Bill to effect its abject. He says a Bill could not be introduced by private members to,increase taxation, but private members could introduce a Bill, the effect of which would be to reduce taxation, and if the alterations suggested were made in the route, the effect would be to save in the proposed expenditure. The Cabinet lias not yet considered the matter, but will give it consideration when it is brought before them. The Hon. Mr Mitchelson has made a promise to Mr Peacock that he will not make any objection to the change in the route, although he still considers the Central route the best. Mr Mitchelson is of opinion that the whole work should be stopped until the purchase of lands on both sides of the line, lias been effected, and this will probably bo done. The reason is that very high prices are being and will be asked for land, and that an immense area still remains to bo bought. Mr Ballance, who is one with the Wellington district members, considers that the evidence taken before the commission was valueless. He considers that Mr Rochefort was too sanguine, and made light of difficulties which wore afterwards found to be very serious. He predicts that very great difficulties will be met with on the central route, and that they will be found very costly to the Government.

An important disclosure with respect to the Trunk Railway Loan will bo made in the House next week. It appears that the sum of £IO,OOO Inis been spent fmm this fund in making roads towards the lino in the Wanganui district, and snagging the Wanganui river, £3,000 being devoted to the latter purpose. No wonder the “Post” was anxious that the new Ministers should not waste the time of the country in washing dirty linen in public.”