Railway from Westland to Otago.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 250, 25 August 1874, Page 7

Railway from Westland to Otago.

Tho Arrow Observer says :—“ We observe from a recent number of the Westland llogistcr that a subject is agitating tho public mind ■in that Province having an important bearing on the future of the Wokatip District, namely —railway communication between Westland and Otago, via Martin’s Bay. The Credit of originating the idea seems to be due to Mr Beetham, who, during hi? visit to the West Coast, pointed out to the authorities there the ease .and practicability of the route above indicated. At a crowded meeting of the Hokitika Railway Committee and the public held in the town a few days ago, the project was freely discussed and favourably received. Previous to the public meeting, a number of the most influential gentlemen in Hokitika had met in the Superintendent’s office and ■entered fully into the question of forming a line of railway connecting Westland with Otago by way of Martin’s Bay, rather than adopting a proposed line to Canterbury. Those present favoured the construction of the line to Otago, and their reasons for so doing were explained at the public meeting by Mr Tabart. We cannot do better than quote that gentleman’s own words. He said— v He believed the Government had abandoned the idea of the Browning’s Pass route. The estimated cost of a railway along that way was £BIO,OOO, as there were greater engineering difficulties to contend against. He thought, with those figures staring them in' the face, and seeing the little practical benefit of a short line which would not open up a great extent of country, it would be better to turn to. another road. If Westland could -get communication with Otago via Martin’s Bay and LakeWakatip, there would be a demand for all and WeStland’s products. Large areas of Country .in Otago would be populated but for the want of timber, and these areas were now only available for sheep-walks. - A railway from the Grey tp Hokitika, thence, to Bay and .Lake Wakatip, presented no great engineering difficul ties. It was advisable to get our 0( ast line opened .up, our forests utilised, and hidden .wealth used. Fnrtlier. it was almost a .certainty we.should have a.special settlement down .South. The premier had intimated that he intended to ask for £II,OOO to make a start with, and £2OOO for the necessary depot. If we could get this line made at the same price as the Browning’s Pass line* it would develop our resources and ■populate pur country, and connect us with a; Province decidedly favourable to Westland. It was not yet decided which line the Government would take in preference to the Browning’s Pass line. Now was, therefore, the time to press, upon the Government another possible -route, so,that ’ we might have a railway down South, which, he' thought, the Committee and the meeting would/ on consideration, prefer to any other route. After other speakers had expressed. their* 1 ’ opinions, a resolution was proposed and se- : conded :

That the Deputy-Superintendent be requested to ask the General Government to have a route to Otago via Martin's Bay surveyed. , ....

It was, however, considered unadtds'able to act hurriedly, and the meeting adjourned for three days before coining to a definite decision. The result of the adjourned meeting lias not yet reached us, but we have no doubt it will be favourable to tho Martin’s Bay; route.”