RAILWAY ACROSS THE MIDDLE ISLAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1389, 29 July 1878, Page 3

RAILWAY ACROSS THE MIDDLE ISLAND.

A deputation consisting of Mr S. T. George, M H.R. for Hokitika; Mr Woolcock, M.H.R. for Grey Valley ; and the Hon. W. Gisborne, M.H.R. for Totara, waited upon the Hon. the Minister for Public Works on July 23rd, for the purpose of pointing out the desirability of connecting the West Coast of the Middle Island with the East Coast by rail. The following report of the proceedings is taken from the “ New Zealand Times”:— Mr Seymour George stated the object of the deputation. Ho said they wished to impress upon the Government the necessity of at once carrying out railway communication between the East and West Coasts, which would be a great benefit to every one. Mr Woolcock said there were two routes surveyed, but the one he favored was that which took the lowest grade, for the reason that it would bring the line so much nearer to Reefton, when probably they could manage to construct, under the District Railways Act, a branch line into Reefton, The line would be a boon not only to that place, but to the whole country. The Hon. Mr Gisborne said he would like to point out something which might be taken into consideration by the Government in connection with this question. The West Coast had been under peculiar relations to the Public Works and Immigration policy, because it had been isolated and cutoff from the rest of the colony in which railways and immigration had been carried on. The roads which had been given the West Coast people in place of railways now devolved upon different counties in a great measure. He (the Minister for Public Works) would have seen, from his visit there, and the Premier would also have seen, the position of the West Coast and its great resources. The immigration had been brought there at no cost to the colony, and the East Coast being shut off from the West Coast, the latter derived no benefit from the railways, although the people of the West Coast were charged with the cost of their own roads. It would be a groat colonial undertaking to connect the West Coast with the East Coast by a railway across the island. As had been pointed out to the Government by the late member for Greymouth at a recent deputation, Christchurch alone would require nearly a thousand tons of coal per week, and it might bo transported for £1 per ton. With regard to the country which this railway would open up, he would not be able to say positively that there would be large tracts of land immediately available, but when a railwav was taken across a country, it rendered available for settlement much land which, without it, would not be available. Then it would facilitate immensely prospecting for gold, and very probably undiscovered goldfields would be discovered, and be rendered productive. Upon all these grounds, he hoped the Government would bo able to take in hand the work of extending the line from Amborley to Greymouth, and also to Hokitika. A committee last session took evidence upon the proposal and reported to the House, but it was at too late a period to take the matter into consideration. However, he believed the majority of members were in favor of the line. Coal could be transported from Greymouth, and timber from Hokitika; while on the other hand, flour, sheep, <tc., could be sent by means of rail to the West Coast from the East Coast. Living on the West Coast was at present very high, b»t it could be reduced if the Government were disposed to construct the line across the island, and also to take into consideration connection between Hokitika and Greymouth, so as to make it one scheme. He (the speaker) had noticed from books he had lately read about the construction of the railways in the United States, the Government there encouraged the proprietors of the railways by giving them the land, and by advancing the money redeemable at thirty years, bearing six per cent, interest. Of course the money was repayable as a mortgage on the line, but the land was given as freehold. It would, of course, be a great encouragement if the land was given free. It would rest with the Government, if they were disposed to undertake the scheme, to consider the mode in which it could be best constructed in the interests of the whole colony. Upon the grounds stated, he would strongly submit to the Government the advisability of considering the scheme and proposing it to the Assembly next session, so that both coasts of the Middle Island might bo united by railway across the northern part of it. The Hon. Mr Macandrew said all ho could say was that ho concurred in all the advantages pointed out; that he was fully alive to the importance of the subject, and that the Government were very anxious indeed to see the work undertaken. But it was just a question of moans. He might say that some time ago, thinking it possible to follow the plan adopted in the United States, he had given instructions to have a topographical survey of the country furnished, as far as possible, with a view to enable the Government to know what available country there was or might be ; but ho had not yet seen it. That, at the present time, was the only feasible way of carrying out the undertaking. It would cost a large sum of money, but if it would open up land, the cost might be recouped. That, he believed, would be the legitimate way of doing it. If the Government had the money, it could be devoted to more urgent affairs, but as it was, he was afraid the loan was pretty well absorbed. There was no doubt whatever the ocean steamers would use the Greymouth coal, in addition to the local consumption, and it was the only steam coal that bad yet been discovered in New Zealand. He did not know that he could say much more, but the matter was under consideration, with a view of giving practical shape to it. The Hon. Mr Gisborne hoped, in considering the subject, the Government would consider the importance of opening up gold discoveries, as well as the opening up of land. The Hon. Mr Macandrew was of of opinion that the opening up of the land was of most importance ; no one would advance money on the prospect of gold, though he thought it likely there were largo rich auriferous deposits. Mr Woolcock urged that the opening of the line would increase the profits on the Brunner lino; he did not know about continuing it from Amberley. The 1 Lon, Mr Macandrew said in any case provision had been made for extending the line from Amborley. Mr George wished to know whether the Government would not be in favor of setting aside the reserves along the proposed route. The Hon. Mr Macandrew said that was what ho wanted to know about. Mr George said that that might be done now between Greymouth and Hokitika. The Hon. Mr Macandrew hinted that it would be as well not to trouble about that

now. Let them connect the two coasts first, and the other line would follow. Mr George thought the two might go on at once. The’ Hon. Mr Macandrew —I have always thought it was a groat mistake the late Provincial Government of Canterbury did not tackle that work. Mr Woolcock —The separation of the West Coast was a great mistake, in connection with which both Canterbury and the West Coast suffered severely. The Hon. Mr Macandrew — Yes; that event would perhaps have been averted if this work had been gone into in time. Mr Woolcock—Some of those agitators ought to have been strung up. Mr Gisborne thought, if the lino were constructed across the island, it would be used by a large number of Australian visitors, who would all leave money behind them. The Hon. Mr Macandrew —In the meantime, the coal is the main thing. Mr George —And the timber for Canterbury. Mr Woolcock said the West Coast coa should be placed in every market in the colony. For quality nothing could touch it. The Hon. Mr Macandrew—There is an enormous quantity of coal, and no doubt all these Melbourne steamers would coal in New Zealand. If we succeed in getting direct steam communication from Home it would be a great thing. Look at the enormous quantity that would consume. Mr Woolcock—lt is beyond a shadow of a doubt as to the quality and quantity of the coal there. The Hon. Mr Macandrew—There are hundreds of millions of tons of the best steam coal in the world admitted to be there. Mr Gisborne said this could be by rail brought to the East Coast and transported from there to other ports. The Hon. Mr Macandrew said if the Government were in a position to go into it at once he should not hesitate a moment, but of course they could not tackle the work in the face of works of more immediate necessity. Mr George—l presume if you get a favorable report on the land you will be in favor of going on at once ? The Hon, Mr Macandrew —If the report is favorable I shall reserve the laud from sale. Mr Woolcock asked if the Minister for Public Works advocated the construction of the line on that principle. The Hon. Mr Macandrew replied in the affirmative, as the land would greatly increase in value.