PENINSULA RAILWAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 553, 1 November 1881, Page 2

PENINSULA RAILWAY.

To ihe Editor.

Sir, — I would state, in reply to "Nemo's " letter in your issue of the 28th inst, that on Monday last Mr Back, traffic manager, came down to the Forsyth Beach with a trial engine. Mr Birdling and myself were there by appointment to meet him, and Mr Montgomery was also present Arrangements were made for traffic, and at noon yesterday a line of trucks, numbering 50, was seen on the line opposite Price's Swamp, being propelled by the puffing engine. It was a pleasant sight, artd suggestive of better times for the Peninsula. In the afternoon the engine started with 30 laden trucks, .0 containing wool belonging t« Messrs Coop and Birdling, an! 20 totara posts supplied by myself, 20 trucks being left to be loaded. Mrs Coop and others wers present to witness the departure of the first train, and "Success to the Peninsula Railway " was drunk in champagne. The estimated value of the consignments was about £3000.

Although the detour by way of Lincoln adds materia J}* to the cost of carriage, it is expected that all the wool produced in this neighborhood will be conveyed by train ; and when the line is completed to Little liiver for passenger traffic, it is said to be the intention of the Tai Tapu and Lower Lincoln Road settlers to have a branch line connecting with that existing, at a point near Aburiri. This would obviate the necessity of the detour to Lincoln, and diminish the distance to Christchurch by about seven miles—a great boon, in every way to he desired.—Yours, etc., GEO. R. JOBLIN. Little River, October 29, 1881.