THE MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1057, 23 January 1884, Page 2

THE MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Mr 0, Napier Bell, C. E., the Commissioner appointed by the Government to report on the Mount Somers Railway extension, proceeded to the township on Saturday, and on the following, day made an inspection of the ground. On Monday he also examined the neighborhood and yesterday, a sitting was held in the Road Board office for the purpose of taking evidence, on the question beinj put to the Commissioner as to whether the reporters present would be allowed to take notes of the proceedings, Mr Bell said that he had no objection. The bad weather prevented a large attendance. The following witnesses were examined; — Mr A. E. Peache, Chairman of the Mount Somers Road Board, in answer to questions put by the Commissioner, said that the line was always intended to come to Mount Somers. The original vote was for LIO,OOO, and the terminus was meant to be at the township. The next step, witness thought, was vtr Triphook’s survey, which came to within three miles of the township. Mr Triphook was engaged, to the beat of witness’s belief, by the General Government, under the supervision. of the County Council. The Royal Commission appointed to report on the South Island railways recommended that the line should be carried but he did not think the route was decided at that time. He thought that it was understood Mr Triphook’e route would be followed. That route crossed the river about six miles below the present traffic bridge. The terminus was indicated in section 29,573. These plans were very partially carried out, and the line was continued on the South bank past the point intended by Mr Triphook. Witness explained that L 16.000 had been allotted out of loan for the extension of the Mount Somers railway, and of that L6,0u0 had been already expended. He would like to know before proceeding further exactly what the Commissioner was appointed to determine. The Commissioner then handed the commission to the witness. Mr Peache said that he asked the question because he understood a third party was coming forward to advocate a fork lino, and he wished to know if the Commission would include a consideration of this. The Commissioner said that all that could be done by the third party was to give evidence. All the present witness had to do was to say why he wished the railway to go in a certain direction. Mr Peache 'said that if the railway was extended northwards it would open up a valuable bush country and would develops the stone quarries in the district. A large timber traffic was carried on in connection with Methven, and also by the present line, although the latter was a long day’s work. The coal was about seven miles north of the township, and the seam was at present over fourteen feet. All the lime used at Christchurch came from Bunedin, and witness thought that quite as valuable lime could be found at Mount Somers to undersell that obtained from Otago. The witness then showed the Commissioner a statistical table of the agricultural produce of the district, and indicated the land included in the calculations on the map. Statistics had also been prepared t > show what land would be benefited by the other extensions which had been surveyed. Good land could be found on the south of the river, but witness maintained that the extension would not make any difference to the settlers there, as they could-use the present Anama station. The bridge across the river was built by the Mount Somers Road Board and the County Council, before the railway was made. A small part of the area marked in the map was served by the Methven line, and timber was sent there. Some of the produce is carted indifferently to Ashburton, Methven, and Anama. The traffic on the railway was not large at present, but witness had no doubt if it were extended further aTarge timber traffic would come immediately. The reason why produce was carted to Ashburton was that a bad riverbed had to be crossed. It was also doubtful whether the goods sent by train would reach their destination, owing to the carelessness of the railway authorities and the inefficiency of the arrangements. The sum of L 15,000 had been allotted out of the three million loan, and of that about L 9,000 was st;ll unexpended. The traffic bridge coat L5,00d, but Mr Blair and Mr Austin had estimated the cost of a railway bridge at | about L 3,000. Mr Andrew McFarlane said that he was engaged in sheep-farming in the Alford Fbrept, and also in the timber trade. The timber was principally biroji, and the de-

mand was greater than the supply. The timber was only used locally, because there was no means of getting it to other places, on account of the cost of cartage and railway freight. There were about 5.000 acres of available bush in the Alford Forest, and part of it ouly had been affected by fire. The portion burnt was geod grass-growing land. The agricultm al land was magnificent, though rather hard to work. There was a great deal of cultivation in witness’s part of the district, and there would be more with better facilities for transit. Sections 30624, 30589, and part of 30520 were ready for cropping at present in wheat. Coal of good quality existed in the district, and Mr Cox and Professor Hutton thought it was as good brown coal as any in New Zealand. The mineral had been found on both aides of the river. The distance to cart to the terminus of the extension surveyed to Bowyer’s stream would be seven miles, and people would be quite satisfied if they got that. Produce would be carted up hill to Bowyer’s stream station instead of down hill to Valetta on account of the bad river crossing, which was one of the worst in the county. To use either the Methven or the Mount Somers lines was | inconvenient at the present time. Mr John Hood, yrho had been 17 years in the district, said he thought that the township would benefit, though not to so great an extent as the district generally, as the terminus was fixed three-quarters of a mile away from Mount Somers. He thought that if the line was extended the agricultural produce would greatly increase. The, lime which had bee t discovered in Alford Forest would be a source of revenue. Not a pound of coal was exported, although he believed there would be a demand fer it in Ashburton, as it was similar to that found in Malvern. The Stour deposit was the only coal now being worked, but no doubt more would be opened out. The actual distance would not be lessened by the extension, but the road would be much easier. The Malvern coal was sold in Ashburton for about 25s per ton, and he thought, that the Mount Somers product could compete with that. It might be used in specially constructed locomotives. The township had not increased in size since the line was made, but the determination of the much vexed question of the extension would influence settlement. If the suggestion of the Committee of the County Council to carry the lino over thdtraiio bridge:were carried out, no doubt the township would extend in that directibh. The original intention of the Rakaia-Methven line was to take the; line‘ by the Mount Somers railway, but he ‘ thought that that was abandoned. This line would not, in his opinion, benefit , the district so; much as the extension of the Tinwald line, although is might not make much difference to the grain and wool traffic. The plan of Mr Triphook was not carried out for economical reaaottaj as the line was t iken by Tinwald because it obviate! the necessity of crossing a river for a long distance. The witness rVad an extract from the Royal Commission’s report recommending the construction of the Tin-wald-Mount Somers line. This was the present extension, except • that it did not cross the river where Mr Triphook suggested. Mr Dugald McFarlane, manager of the Buccltugh estate for the N.Z. L. and M A. Company, said that the estate was about 10,000 acres. The chief produce was wool, but the Compaq intended to let portions of the land for cropping. The extension would considerably enhance the value of the property. Sent his produce to Methven because there was no convenience at Anama, although the latter was only about four and a half miles from the homestead. The timber in Alford Forest was of good class, but witness knew nothing of the minerals. There was a great deal of land in the district not yet cropped. More than half of the Buccleugh estate was not under cultivation. There was a fair number of small farmers in witness’s district, as the Company had recently sold several portions. Towards the middle and northern part of the district was the better land. The reason why there »as so little traffip on the line existing at present was the absence of a goods shed. If the station at Anama was to be used there certainly must bo a goods shed there, and some person to take charge of what was sent there.

In answer to the Commissioner, Mr Peache said that the County Council engineer had given his opinion that the present traffic bridge would do for the railway if it were strengthened. There was a conflict of.opinion, but he (Mr Peache) understood that Uie objection of the Government engineer was that there was a terrace on one side of the bridge which would necessitate a sharp curve in the line.

Mr T. E. Mcßae gave evidence to the effect that the extension would benefit the district where he resided. At present it made very little difference whether pro duce was carted or went by train. Were the terminus made at Bowyer’s stream it would make a difference of three miles to the carters, as now they had to go round by the Mount Somers traffic bridge to reach the Anama station.

Mr Wm, Edson, member of the Road Board, considered that great injustice had been done to the settlers on account of the railway being taken in the present direction. He and many others had purchased land on the understanding that the line would be carried out according to the Triphook survey. Witness did not wish to be personal, bur. his firm impression was that the line had been extended to suit Mr Wright. There had been a counterpetition to ask that the line bo carried fuither an the south side of the river. This petition represented 65,000 acres, but witness maintained that the only person signing it who would be benefited was Mr Peter. They had reason to believe that had it not been for the petition the line would hare crossed the river so as to have come by witness’s corner. Thought that the district would be benefited from the extension to Bowyer’s stream, and was of opinion that this would be but scant justice. The extension of the line on the south side would benefit the lands through which it passed.

The Hon W. S. Peter said that he opposed the extension of the line in any direction whatever. He felt sure that the Methven line would ultimately fall into the hands of the Government, and that it would be extended. Indeed, the original idea of the company to take the line to Gough’s crossing would have been carried out had it not been that an understanding with the Government was not arrived at regarding the erection of a bridge. He considered that the Methven line would be the best for the Mount Somers district, as it would save 23 miles to Christchurch. The distance of the terminus from Ashburton is 23£ miles. He understood that the line was surveyed from Methven to Mount Somers, but did not know whether it was done by Government or not. Was ilearly of opinion that the line from Methven was the best, and he would be in favor of the money voted being used for that purpose. Witness thought that when the line he referred to was made the present railway would not be used at all, as the produce WQuld naturally go to the port of shipment. .Any farther extension of the line on the south side would be a great mistake, as it was not wanted. Traffic from the Gawlcr Downs would be accommodated by the Cavendish station, but would not be served by the line beiug extended further.' Did not think that the extension would do much good to the minerals. Witness sent his produce to Ashburton by train and could 'hot understand the evidence that it did not make much difference whether goods were carted or sent by train. There was some very good lan§

to the south-west of the line, although I was somewhat hard to work on account of its [sternness. The land at thfi back of the range on the south aide was good and fit for agriculture, but would not be affected by the extension, as the produce would go to the Cavendish station. The space marked on the map as representing the land benefited by thn present railway was fairly correct, though ha thought if anything it showed too much. Mr Dugald McFarlane wished to add to his evidence that if the line were extended from Methven, every ton of wool and grain would go by that route to Christ* church. The only benefit of the present line would be for passengers and small goods. Mr Peacbe sa : d that the inquiry seemed to him to have drifted into a discussion as to the comparative merits of the Tinwald and Methven linos. As he understood, the Commission was for the purpose of deoid* ing in what direction the present railway should go. The money had been veted fora specific purpose, and it would be unfair to devote it to anything else. He would protest against the Commissicn. not limiting its inquiries to the extension of the existing Tinwald Mount Somers railway. #■

No other evidence being forthcoming the Commission rose at about 1.16 p.m.