The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1884. The Central Railway

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 55, 18 October 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1884. The Central Railway

Wr have received the report of the Select Committee appointed to consider and report on the best route for the North Island Trunk Railway, together with the minutes and appendix. It occupies 105 pages exclusive of the maps and plans. The most interesting part of it to us is naturally that relating to the exploration of the Marton line, and the Oroua and Eiwitea valleys alternate line, over the signature of John Rochfobt. The report on the Marton route is drawn up from data collected by actual observation, as far as a mere layman may be able to judge. From point to point the line is divided into sections, of which the natural features and the description of bush, soil, and rock encountered are described with a pen of a man who loves his task. Nothing which enhances the picture is omitted. It is even lovingly pointed out whereiallast for the line and timber for tho bridges will be most easily obtained. Mile after mile has been closely examined, and the principle features noted, so that the Minister in authority over him should have no fault to find. The first part of his work he has done well. On tho other hand, the exploration of the alternate line, Feilding to Hautapu, was done " under instructions," and as we all know to our sorrow, how unwillingly this concession was wrung from the Minister of Public Works, Mr Rochfobt had no heart in the work and performed it in a most prefunctory manner. The report on the alter- j native line could have been written without going over the ground at all. i t contains a description of tho general features of the country, which, for a wonder, correspond very nearly with those laid down on the map of the colony. The names of the ranges are given, and we are informed at what points they abut on the Rangitikei River, and much more information of a similar useless description. In tho exploration of the Oroua route (which occupies seven lines in the report) Mr RochFOBTsays, "This route would, besides being high, be circuitous; and for these reasons I did not consider it necessaay to lose time in going through it, so I decided in giving more attention to the more promising route by the Kiwitea." We are glad to know from Mr Rochfobt's own pen that our contention was correct that this part, at least, was not explored. A little more space is given to to Kiwitea line. But at the outset Mr Rochfobt says — "The Eiwitea route looks more promising, but compares unfavorably with the original (Marton) line." This proves clearly enough that Mr Roch fort's mind was made up, and if the whole road was a? lerel as a bowling green, he would have found it inferior to the other. In every case where he is forced to mention redeeming features in the country, he qualifies it with a condemnatory note. For instance, he says — " After crossing the Mangawharariki, the country is level but high above the river beds to the Eawatau River, which has to be crossed." We are reminded by this singular statement of a quotation from the poet Montgombbib, who made ".streams meander lerel with their fount 1" But that a practical man like Mr Rochfobt should find fault with country for being above the river beds, passeth understanding. Mr Rochfobt seems to have understood —and we do not blame him for carrying out the views of his superiors — that this alternative line was to be " burked," and he has done his best to that end. As a sop to Cerberus he tells vs — what we knew already — "The country along the alternative line from Feilding for some twenty miles is exceedingly good, both as regards soil and timber, but beyond thin point, in the Otamakapua Block, the soil is not good, and the timber is small and of no commercial value. In point of distance, the alternative line is longer by about three mile*, but the distnnce from Wellington would be shortened by nearly the distance between Feilding and Marton " — that is nineteen miles. The only real difficulty presented is by the fact of the Rnngitikei River being in the way, and tbp engineering talent at the disposal of the Government is not, in the opinion of Mr Rochfobt, fit to bridge it. In conclusion, we say«distinctly and without fear of contradiction that the report does not contain sufficient data for it to have been any guide to the Select Committee in forming an opinion. The conviction yet remains on our minds that the ex ploration and survey of the " alternative line " from Feilding has yet to be made.