AKAROA RAILWAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 368, 30 January 1880, Page 2

AKAROA RAILWAY.

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail. Sir,- —The claim of Christchurch and the plains of Canterbury to have a railway to their natural harbor, viz., Akaroa, is undisputed and cannot be refuted. The Lyttelton dock has been made by much outlay, but it is evidently not sufficient, and cannot be enlarged without enormous outlay, a graving dock being also imperatively required. Attention has been directed to Tirnarn, but that is in the wrong direction, and it looks very problematical as to.whether anything like satisfactory aid can be obtained there. Then why is it that the powerful interest of Canterbury and that of its influential capital the City of Christchurch is not brought to bear upon the extension of the railway to Akaroa Harbor. It is the natural harbor of Canterbury ; aye, and Canterbury can boast that it is not surpassed in New Zealand. The merchant interest of Christchurch woidd alone be sufficient, were they resolved that they should be heard. But ye of the landed interest, why not echo the cry — " Railway Extension to Akaroa Harbor." To Little River it is progressing, and from thence to Akaroa is but a short distance, the only bugbear seeming to be that it requires a tunnel—not a long one — and can the united cry of Canterbury not obtain this to.be effected at once. Tell it not to the friends of Canterbury over a great part of the world that it cannot. The settlers of the Peninsula are bestirring themselves, and will ably join in an efficient call for railway communication to and from Christchurch, the capital of the Province. They are beginning to consider whether they have a right to be taxed for railway liabilities, when the greater part of them will reap no advantage whatever from the system, even after the line reaches Little River, if it does not reach Akaroa. They are aware that Akaroa can never be other than an adjunct to Christchurch and Lyttelton, but that it would be a strong one all can see. The immediate benefit would be to Christchurch and the Plains, but no doubtmaterial advantages would in many ways accrue to the Peninsula and Akaroa settlers, but surely this would not be grudged, their produce going to, and their supplies coining from, Christchurch. Then bestir yourselves, ye autocrats of Christchurch and the Plains; let there be unity and a will, and the extension of the railway will be an accomplished fact. You will then find that your expanding requirements for additional shipping accommodation with rapid delivery and loading of vessels will be amply met by Lyttelton and Akaroa, although your demands were treble what they now are . But a word more. You will then be able to have your families located, for at least a part of the year, in a perfect healthgiving Eden, and where you can in a fraction of time sec them, and recruit yourselves with the pleasantest outing you can have from any city of New Zealand. Combine and agitate, and the Government, with the sanction of Parliament at. their next meeting, will .soon find I heir way to do it. bet the rail be —Railway Extension to Akaroa Harbor. Yours, _x., JAMES UOURLAY. Long Bay, 2Gth January, 1830.