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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 74

The reply of the Premier was as follows :— Premier's Office, Wellington, N.Z., 15 October, 1888

The reply of the Premier was as follows :— Premier's Office, Wellington, N.Z.,

My Dear Sir,

Thank you very much for your interesting letter of August 16, re The Midland Railway. You will ere this have learned that the contract was signed by the Governor on the 23rd September, and that it was mutually agreed by your General Manager, Mr. Scott, and the Government that it should be understood as taking effect from that date. No doubt the matter was surrounded with great difficulties from past failures of unwise proposals and the suspicions engendered thereby, and also from the dislike of the scheme in any form by a large number of members. I am sure page 16 things would, as you say, have been greatly facilitated had we had an opportunity of personal interview. It is to be regretted that the negotiations could not have been settled sooner, but I trust that the delay will not really prejudice you in the money market, and that we shall soon hear that you have obtained the necessary capital on favourable terms.

I thank you very much for your kind expression of appreciation of my efforts to get the matter through the Parliament in a form fair alike to the Colony and the Company, and join with you in hoping that our expectations as to the benefits to be derived from the undertaking by the Colony and the Company may be realised. I shall be pleased if you will follow out your idea of communicating with me from time to time as to your progress. You may be sure that it will afford me equal satisfaction to hear that everything is going on well. Should you at any time decide to visit us—and I think you should if you can spare the time—I shall be delighted to do all I can to make your visit a pleasant one.

You are aware that we have passed through a time of anxiety and trouble, but I think that I may now safely say that the Colony has taken a turn for the better. From every side I hear more favourable accounts of our progress towards prosperity.

Yours sincerely,

H. A Atkinson.

Thomas Salt, Esq.

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