Railway amalgamation.

The tendency of railway companies in Canada now-a-days is towards amalgamation, and the latest effort in this line is by the Port Dover and Lake Huron, the Stratford and Huron, and the Wellington and Georgian Bay Railway Companies with the Grand Trunk. The proposed amalgamation does not meet with the approval of the people of Stratford, for yesterday a deputation from that town consisting of Messrs. W. R. Marshall, Thomas Stoney, J.M. Struthers, G. Horne and W. Mowat, with Mr. Idington, Q.C., as counsel, had an interview with the Premier, Hon. Mr. Mowat and on Hon. Mr. Pardee on the subject. The deputation said in substance that the county of Perth and Stratford has assisted in the construction of the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway to the extent of $500,00, which was a good as lost as the road afterwards amalgamated with the Grand Trunk. A few years ago they again embarked in the bonus business, and voted some $200,000 to the Port Dover and Lake Huron, and Stratford and Huron railways, entering into agreement for the return of this money in the event of amalgamation with the Grand Trunk. That event has now taken place, but the companies being virtually bankrupt are of course unable to repay the money advanced; and all the deputation modestly ask is that the Amalgamation Bill now before the House be passed with a proviso giving running powers over the said roads so that the people may have a reasonable measure of railway competition. We understand that since the amalgamation the Grand Trunk has raised the rate of freight and passenger fares on Stratford people. Mr. Pardee has arranged to have the Bill before the Railway Committee this morning, and we fell assured that the Government and Legislature of Ontario will not permit the people of Stratford and county of Perth to be cheated out of their money and their road, especially as the said companies are now knocking on the doors of the Legislature for said to finish the section of the road north from Palmerston. A more glaring case of injustice is hard to discover.

Railways: B. & L.H.Ry., G.B. & W.Ry., G.T.Ry., Pt.D. & L.H.Ry., S. & H.Ry.

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