The Northern Railway and the Rakaia Bridge.

The thirtieth session of the Provincial Council began on the 20th November, 1868. The opening had been delayed owing to the illness of the Superintendent, and the session was of short duration. The Council was asked to consider the appropriation of the unexpended balance of the Canterbury Loan (1862). The Northern Railway and the Rakaia Bridge were mentioned by the Superintendent as works specially deserving consideration.

It was decided to invite capitalists to undertake the construction and equipment of the North Line on terms of guaranteed interest on cost, and the sum of £30,000 was placed on the Estimates for the purpose of forming a basis of guarantee. The Superintendent subsequently invited offers on the conditions proposed by the Council, but without result.

On 11th December a Bill authorising the construction of the Rakaia Bridge was passed.

When dealing with the estimates for the working of the Canterbury Railways, the Council reduced the sum proposed from £30,646 19s. to £27,000. The Superintendent then asked that a sum of £1,500 in addition to the latter amount be voted. He explained that a sufficient time had not elapsed since the Government took charge of the railways to admit of making such reductions and practising such economy as a longer experience of the details of working might enable the management to effect. The expenditure had already been diminished by £1,000 per annum. He deprecated hasty action, and suggested that it was advisable to leave such powers of expenditure in the hands of the Government, as increased traffic or other emergencies might call for. The Council voted the additional £1,500, and replied to the message as follows:—

“This Council is unwilling that Your Honour should not have at your disposal funds to enable the Government to carry on the administration of the railways with confidence, and, while of the opinion that the expenditure of this branch of the service may be diminished, relies upon the Government to make such reduction as it may find to be consistent with the efficient working of the lines.”

The question of the rates of pay was raised by Mr. A. C. Knight, who considered the estimates as passed were excessive. After discussion, the Council passed the following resolution:—

page 46

“The Council is of opinion that labourers employed by the Government should not as a rule be paid higher than those in the employ of private individuals.”