The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3645, 28 October 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1874.

Although the railway system of New Zealand is not yet developed, the advantages of it are so apparent whereever lines have been even partially opened, that every settled district evinces a desire to partake of the benefit. This is precisely the process of development we predicted, and it forms a complete reply to those who foresee a cessation of work when the present projected lines are completed. The main sjtiestlen now to be settled is, on what tenns branch lines shall be constructed. This is very necessary to be decided npon, and, in the present rtate of public opinion, is by no means capable of so siratple a solution as at livst appears. It really involves the consideration of the relative value of the line to the public and to land owners benefited by it. The rule laid down by the General Government is :hat main lines shall be constructed by '•he Colony, -and branch linos by the 'realities taking advantage of them, fn our opinion the division should have been carried still farther. We think the Colony should have confined expenditure strictly to constructing the Hues between the termini; and towns or hamlets desiring stations should have been at the expense of the platforms and station buildings. There would have been plenty of applications on those conditions and great saviug to the public. This view has not been taken by either the Provincial or General CJovernmant, who have carried out our railway making on the principles that private companies found it. necessary to adopt, when some tempta-' tion was required to conciliate opposition or prevent a competing company obtaining an advantage, rather than upon a clear conception as to what was for public and what for purely private profit. We see no occasion to bid for the trade of carrying, when it is so plain that every mining and agricultural proprietary, in order to succeed, must be connected with the markets for their produce by the cheapest and speediest mode of conveyance. Where a line passes through a district in which the land is unsold, the affair might easily be allowed to adjust itself, if the land were offered at auction as of special value. The probability is that the cost of the railway would be recouped, and the outlay by the Colony absolutely nothing ; and this at once opens up the question of the justice of Colonial or Provincial expenditure in constructing branch line* to accommodate districts in which property has been acquired at the lowest prices at which land has been alienated in the Province. Much more slowly tliaa wo should have imagined, the people of Outvam have been awakened to the need for a branch rail way to connect that township with the Clatha and Dunedin line ; and, according to Colonial practice, they seek to move the Government to make it for them. Wo do not say that they are not entitled to some assistance in the matter ; the difficulty for the Government, as the organ of the public, is to say how much. Undeniably the advantage will bo mutual, although in varied proportions; and it may be fairly question's* whether the public ha* not its part by the eonstructioci of th© maim line. We think it has; an* that tfheee landed proprietors whoa® estates wID be rendered so much more valuabl® kj connecting On tram with th* main fine, should now be left to do thpir own work. The settlers in the district bought their land on very favorable c»nditions; they have become rich, partly through their own industry, but mainly through the accidental, unexpected prosperity of the Province, through its being found to be richer in mineral resources than the most sanguine could have anticipated. The consequent’ pouring in of population provided a market for their produce, they never calculated upon when they bought their estates; and thus, though all will rejoice in their suecoss, they have already received much mere than they bargained for. We do not suppose any of these early settlers dreamt for a moment that they would have had, ©r even needed, a fiimfe-cleew macadamised road on Avhich, a« now, their Cleveland bays, well harness*#!, draw their heavy loads of grain to th* port for shipment. They calculated upon possessing easy-going plenty for the remainder of their days, and had their present success come upon them suddenly, would have been astonished at their own wealth. In addition to a macadamised road a railroad has been formed that only needs the connecting link to render their property at least five times its present worth. A pound an acre invested would more than repay itself in four or five years. It would not be a tax—it would not be money thrown away. It would be merely so much laid out in machinery for working their trade, just as a manufacturer lays out money in plant that he expects to get back again, with large profit, through the increase of his business, or being able to work it cheaper. We think it should be left to the men of Outram to do their part—the public has already done its own. If assistance is needed, we do not say it should not be given, but it should be only conceded on the money being repaid by the district. The value of

the laud will bear it, and the landowners should learn, that they are expected to do their share of the wort, for what remains to be done is for their direct profit.