THE AKAROA RAILWAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 365, 20 January 1880, Page 2

THE AKAROA RAILWAY.

To the Editor of the Aharoa Mail

Sib,-—The letter eigned " Progress," in your issue of Tuesday last, treating of the railway and other matters of local significance, should receive some attention; and that by " Fosco," in your issue of yesterday, might be noticed, I think, with advantage, and with your permission, I would say a few words having to them some indirect reference.

Involved in the labrinth of hills, ridges, glens, valleys and streams, which constistitute, and so magnificently characterize our Peninsula, it is not surprising if our settlers evidence feelings of disappointment and dissatisfaction, when what appears to be vacillation or hesitation is displayed by the Government in the construction of the only good road that can possibly be formed between them and the

Plains. This dissatisfaction, and the public expression thereof cannot justly be complained of, but is perhaps rather to be encouraged, seeing the history of the Public Works policy shows that, in many cases, the merits of the ■works projected and now constructed or being constructed, had but little weight with our legislators; clamor and finesse being the more effective influences. This allegation is admitted by all, productive, as it is of humiliating reflections. Indeed, humiliation appears to be no abnormal accompaniment to our political progress, and one sighs for the Patriot Statesman.

Like Cato, firm ; like Aristides, just; Like rigid Cincinnatus, nobly poor. With his advent a new political era might be inaugurated, but we are not ripe for him yet. Appearing here in these days distinguished by the attributes indicated, he would be deemed a fitting recipient for a cell in Sunnyside. But " the good times are coming." We shall by-and-bye be prepared to receive and welcome him. In the meantime some satisfaction is afforded by the contemplation of his portrait. But to revert from this depression to the local matters. As the railway is incomparably the work that gives promise of the greatest amount of good, so it claims priority of attention. In my estimation the views entertained by " Fosco" are not justified by facts. To get a compete and clear comprehension of the matter it is necessary to consider what has been and is being done; and then what remains to be done, and how to do it. First then, what has been done ? To this query I rejoin, very much has been done and is being done. For instance, the line to Little River has been and is being advocated by the ablest men of the two Houses of Parliament, irrespective ot party, and the further extension to Akaroa Harbor has many and powerful supporters. And this project is out of the seething party cauldron, for the opposing Premiers advocate it alike, as well as many other able and influential statesmen. Then of the settlers of the Plains, very many would expedite the work with pleasure, and without delay. Of course they are not so deeply interested in the matter as are the Peninsula settlers, and it cannot reasonably be expected they will make equal efforts to those that are, or ought to be, made by the Peninsula settlers. If all the force here comprehended were opposed to the railway, then indeed a community or individual lacking self-reliance and faith in a good cause, might with some reason allege that it was " up a tree."

The railway "up a tree," indeed. Surely this denizen of "Sleepy Hollow" has just awoke from a nap, Rip Van Winkle like, and lost his reckoning. Assuming this to be the case, let me inform him that the formation of the line will be completed from Lincoln to Lake Forsyth by the end of the current month ; that the Little River saw mills are busily engaged cutting the sleepers for the line, while the late Government had accumulated rails for the line at Lincoln. These the existing Government deemed teo light, and they have caused heavier ones to be substituted. Further, the existing Government have stated that they are preparing to carry on, without other than inevitable delay, a further section of the line in the direction of Akaroa, of eight miles in length. This will bring the line into the middle of the Little River bush, where its terminus will not be, as the crow flies, three miles distant from the salt waves that make or fill the Akaroa Harbor. And no more doubt can exist of the sincerity of the existing Government than existed of the sincerity of the late one.

The Premier held the late Government dishonored by their retention of the moiety of the land fund due to the Road Boards, and he would not have his own Government more deeply dishonored by perpetrating a less justifiable appropriation such as the appropriation of our railway endowment would be.

In addition to the works I have enumerated as being done, I should 'add that the Lake EHesmere-has sinpe, the; winter been kept at its lowest, level,,, and that easily. Also that a detailed survey of a new line has been made,' extending from Little Biver to the harbor. :

The advantages characterizing .this line are, first, that it gives ready access to a much larger amount of timber, &c, than is afforded by any other proposed line. Secondly, an easy grade, which in no instance exceeds one in fifty; and finally and chiefly, a short tunnel. The disadvantage attending it is, the increase in the distance to be traversed.

The line was devised to obviate the heavy grade and long tunnel inseparable from the earlier surveyed lines.

Now when the public meeting was held in the Town Hall, Akaroa, to consider and discuss the proposal for a and to determine upon a course in reference there-committee-was appointed to foster and advance it, and the earliest decision arrived at by that committee was to the effect that all their efforts should be directed first to the attainment of a line from Christchurch to Little River. The reasons for these were—that such a section of the line would form an adjunct of the line to the harbor; that it would at once unite the Plains with the heart of the Peninsula; that the cost thereof would, in a comparative sense, be inconsiderable, and that an immediate return upon the outlay made would thereby be secured. And I think that the gentlemen who constituted that committee may well feel gratified that the attainment of this much is no longer a matter of doubt.

" Fosco's " dirge is not for them. The Te Deum would be more appropriate. There are some other important matters I purposed to have touched upon, but to do so here, would extend my letter to an inordinate length, I will, with your permission, defer doing so till your next issue.—l am, &c, GEO. R. JOBLItf. Little River, Jan. 17.

A very singular incident (says the S. M Herald), is narrated in connection with the affair at McGlede's farm. A Mr Garde, agent for the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, was with Mr McKillop in the vicinity when the affray took place, and afterwards the doctor attended to the wounded. Subsequently Trooper O'Leary, of Yass, wished to effect a policy on his life, and in one of the rooms of the house the necessary medical examination was made, and the proposal effected. It transpired afterwards that while this was being done, the bushranger, Logan, was concealed beneath the bed in the room with two loaded rifles and a revolver.