AKAROA RAILWAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 202, 25 June 1878, Page 2

AKAROA RAILWAY.

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail.

Sir,—l have read your leading article in your last issue, and would like to say a few words on the subject. Your article commences by saying "Mr Johnston's professional opinion is iv favor of the line. being taken by Little River and Barry's Bay J and the reasons assigned are abundance of traffic, and an easy gradient." Well, in the first place I maintain that the traffic will still be there, whether the railway goes through Barry's Bay or not, for would it not be very easy to have a short running up into the heart of the timber country and joining the main line, say, somewhere about Buchanan's bridge. As for the proposed line being a better gradient, that I dispute as such cannot be proved until a survey is made up the .Okute' valley, and as Mr Johnston himself .stated that he had not been up this valley, much less surveyed it, it must remain an open question which is the best route. Further on it states " pressure should havo been brought to bear by those interested in the other route, some time back so as to have that line surveyed," in that I don't quite agree with you as it looks too much like wanting to have the value of your land increased by a railway running through it. When these gentlemen who compose the Trust were elected by us, we naturally supposed that they would make it their main object to bring the railway through to Akaroa Harbor by the best, shortest, and cheapest route, always keeping in sight the great desideratum of coming out at deep water. We did not suppose that they would survey one line, frame- a Bill with that particular route mentioned, and have it passed without considering whether a; better could not be found; but such has been done, and, as you say, any opposition, to the Bill might prove fatal to its passing, therefore we are quite satisfied to wait until it comes to Little River, and have no doubt that when the survey of the Okute valley is finished it will show so many advantages over the present surveyed line that it must be carried through by French Farm, as it would have to be brought down to that locality, even if it came out at Barry's Bay. Birdling's Island could be easily levelled towards French Farm, thus making a splendid breastwork for wharves, the back towards Barry's Bay could be filled in and reclaimed, making a fine site for a township ; part of French Farm Bay could also be reclaimed, so that a scarcity. of level ground' need hot be complained of. 7

Anyone at all conversant with the state of affairs about Lyttelton must know that there is a fresh outlet required for the immense quantity of grain, wool, and produce, grown in Canterbury and Nelson, as mostly all the Nelson wool comes through to Canterbury, and taking into consideration the thousands of acres of new country being put under crop every year, and that the railway and wharfage accommodation at Lyttelton is insufficient for the present traffic, what will it be in a few years? Therefore, as nature has provided us with a harbor second to none in New Zealand, the very least man can do is to make use of it by opening up intercourse with the plains by means of a railway. There _ is no future for Akaroa if this is not carried out, therefore it behoves us one and all to put onr shoulders to the wheel and doit, and whilst doing it to see that it is done right. I consider that its coming through in the right place is a point only second to its coming at all—for every mile shorter that it is will be a point in our favor when competing with Lyttelton for the grain trade.

Hoping you will excuse me for trespas sing on your space, I remain, Sir,

Yours, &c,

NEPTUNE.