THE WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 153, 7 June 1883, Page 2

THE WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Aijiiie. suggestion of Cr Mc^bil, Cr Li^TdK'gave some facts and figures last night m reference to the West Coast Railway, by way presumably ofjrefata

tioi) of the Standard's expressed opinian that the influence and expenditure all lie at the Wellington end. Cc Lintok appealed as surprised, when Cr Mo Neil brought the matter up, aa if he had not been aware that it had been pre-arranged that the- question should be asked, to him an opportunity to " let himself loose "on the subject. He evidently came prepared to make a terrible example of our temerity m presumiug to institute any inquiries or pass any criticisms whatever oh the West Coast Railway scheme, which m Or Linton's opinion, it is equivalent] to hi_h treason to refer toexcept m terms of adulation and encomium. We learnt three days ago -that the matter was to' be brought up m the Bo ough Council, but the difficulty was to find some person willing to lead the way. Eventually Cr Me ■'J.Eijii consented to " pop. the question." We may here note that it is somewh at strange that Cr McNeil was the person chosen. We suppose no. person m the County of Manawatu has beeu such a consistent and uncompromising opponent of the West Coast j Railway scheme as Henry -McNeil. We have heard him inveigh against the project not once, but we might truthfully say hundreds of times, He re^ sisted all persuasions to become a. shareholder, nor do we believe at the present time that he has an interest at stake m the Company to the' extent of one"penny piece. We hare a good deal more to say on this subject, but must reserve our further comments. We would just like to make one remark m conclusion. We cannot for the life of us* see why Mr Linton> should take umbrage at every reference that he" considers to the West Coast Railway undertaking. We giv,e him all creditfor being an enthusiastic champion of the project, but think he occasionally makes himself appear somewhat ridiculous m the eyes of sensible people by " wiring into" a newspaper ?because ie expresses views not strictly m accordance with his. We admire his energy arid determination as .ga public ' man, arid would ask him to imagine that it' is possible to criticise an undertaking and yet have the warmest wiahes~f6rTtf entire success and hopes for its ultimate satisfactory con 'inamati.nn.t;