THE PROPOSED HANMEP RAILWAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11483, 16 January 1903, Page 5

THE PROPOSED HANMEP RAILWAY.

VISIT OF MINISTER OF PTJBLJO WORKS.

INSPECTION OF THE ROUTE.

(SPECIAL TO "THO. FBESS.") HANMER SPRINGS, January 15. A preliminary step in connection with the future construction of a 'railway between Culverden and Hanmer was made yesterday, when the Minister of PuWie Works (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones), accompanied by Mr R. W. Holmes (Inspecting Engineer)!, and Mr A. W. Rutherford, M.H.R., drove over the proposed route for purposes of inspection. The party left Culverden at 10 o'clock, and on arriving at the Ferry Bridge over the Waiau, walked to the Gorge, and spent some time examining the nature of the country, and considering how best to run the line, so as to avoid as far as possible the difficulties of the Waiau and Hanmer rivers, which unite near this point. A spot was found a few hundred yards from tbe bridge where the railway" oouid be constructed so as to cross the Waiau only, and go straight on to the Spriugs, avoiding the other stream entirely. The objection has occasionally been made to this pise* that it is liable* to be flooded, but Mr Rutherford states that no flood which would do iiny considerable damage has been experienced there since the memorable occasion A 1868.

Late In the afternoon the journey ww continued to Hanmer. Even a cursory examination of the district through whioh the prepensed line will pass shows tha_ its construction should be an easy matter, as fax es the nature of the country k concerned. The first six miles and the last six are over level plain, which present*, prc-ctioally no engineering difficulties, and there are about eight miles on the Hanmer side of Montrose station of fairly rough country. The line would necessarily cross and re-cross a good deal over the present road, for the sake of obtaining a more even grade. A certain number of small cuttings would be required, but no engineering works of much greater importance. Speaking generally, the course does not present nearly as many difficultie. as the Waipara-Cheviot line for example, and, in fact, there appears to be no obstacles on the whole route greater than those which have recently been overcome between Waipara and Scargill. The question of whether the railway would pay, for some time to coin*, appears to be more debateable. Those who think that it would not point out that there is only a very small population along the road, and if the line cost about £150,000, which would be a fair amount on which to form a basis of computation, it would be a very long time before such a sum would be recouped. A light line might be pub down for a smaller sum, but tbe expense of running special engines would probably make it dearer in the long run. The Minister for Public Works himself, when interviewed by a representative of "The Press," referred jocularly to a reference made in 'The Press" yesterday, regarding a-railway of seventy-two miles in length in America, whioh was constructed in c»e year, at a cost of £2000 a mile. That instance merely showed, be stated, that in ad probability the country was perfectly simple, and it was only a question of j i.tting the sleepers down and fastening the rails down over them. The line in contemplation between Culverden and Hanmer would cost about £6000 a mile, including the cost of the bridge over the Waiau. the course was very easy for the first few miles, but was rougher afterwards, while there would be some trouble with the Waiau and various smaller streams. ' r he line could only be started when it was authorised by Parliament, and at present there was no authorisation and no vote. The question of construction would, therefore have to stand over until next session, but a detailed survey would be made •of the route before then, as only a gen-ar.il survey had up till now been taken. The present is Mr Hall-Jones's first visit to Hanmer, and he expressed himself last night as very well pleased with the place, and confident of its capacity for further development. At present all the accommodation houses are crowded. The present coach road could be considerably improved, especially by building banks to confine some of the streams which cross it, and constructing small bridges over them. One of the problems of Hanmer at present is the question of drainage, and water supply. Hlhe place is divided into small sections, and there is no common means of carrying off the drainage, which is simply allowed to sink into the ground. Most of the renidents depend on wells and the rainfall for their water supply, and as many of 4he wells are not more than tea or twelve let deep there is serious danger of the drainage contaminating the drinking water. It is claimed that an excellent water supply could be obtained by laying a pipe from the Rogerson River at a point some distance up Jack's Pass, which would be available for flushing a main drain, supposing »och were constructed, and would also provide a satisfactory supply for drinking, firs prevention, and other purposes. Mr Hall-Jones emphatically endorsed the general opinion that the Sanatorium is greatly in need of enlargement, and etated that he hoped to see' it extended befo.ee next season. One good result of the; construction of the railway line would be. the g eater accessibility of the Spring*. Mr all-Jones had a short talk with -Mr Rutherford last night on tbe subject, and on Friday morning will make a number of inquiries into the whole matter. The Minister for Public Works was joined at Rangiora on Wednesday by two of his daughters, the Misses H. and F. Hall-Jones, who accompanied bun to Hanmer to-day. The Minister returns to Christchurch on Saturday, and leaves for Wellington tbe same night.