The Globe. THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1527, 9 January 1879, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1879.

When —some six months ago —the free and independent electors of Hokitika surrendered their franchise right into tho hands of tho Premier and accepted as their representative that gentleman s nephew and nominee, it was pretty broadly hinted that tho contract was not altogether unilateral, but that in due time an equivalent for tho concession would bo forthcoming. Those surmises have now resolved themselves into facts, for wo learn from our West Coast exchanges that tenders are called for tko construction of the first sections of the long bilked of Hokitika and Groymouth railway. This lino is to be started from the extreme ends, and it is proposed to spend tho sum of eighteen thousand pounds only in the commencement of a work that to complete it will require tho outlay of a quarter of a million. The iuconsiderableness of this sum is a source of dissatisfaction to tho good folks of Hokitika, who evidently entertain the idea that ft certain vote and

an uncertain whip given to the Grey party deserves a more substantial recognition from the persons benefitted. The existence of this feeling of discontent wo gather from the tone of certain articles upon the subject that have appeared in the West Coast Times, and while sympathising deeply with our neighbours in the annoyance they feel at the poor return made for their great sacrifice, wo nevertheless fail to see how the Government could possibly have been more liberal, other matters in connection with the administration of the public estate being duly considered. It must naturally be annoying to our West Coast friends to learn, by experience, that their blind devotion to the party in power is appraised at a loss value than the unwilling support of the people of Nelson, who, in return for the six votes of their representatives, are to receive sixty thousand pounds’ worth of useless railway—equal to ten thousand pounds per vote; but doubtless the Ministry will repair their fault next session, and, by placing a larger sum upon the estimates, rectify what may have been merely an oversight, or at the worst an error of judgment. Wo have estimated the cost of this proposed work at a quarter of a million; and, when it is known that surveyors calculate the expenses of first construction at over two hundred thousand, our figures will not bo very far wrong, especially when the nature of the country to be traversed is borne in mind. The line as proposed will follow the sea beach, and in the short distance of twenty-five miles must cross no less than seven streams, some being large, rapid, and as difficult to bridge as many of the rivers upon this side of the island. And suppose those streams were safely bridged and other engineering difficulties successfully overcome, what will bo the result P The line, if finished to-morrow, would not pay for the coal used upon it, and judged by present appearances, there is little chance of West Coast affairs improving. But on this subject it is idle to speculate. The members of the Government have no intention of making this lino any more than they have of opening up communication between Nelson and Reefton at the cost of a million of money —the present votes are simply payment for support and nothing more. While thus the public money is being wasted in political railways, lines that would prove directly reproductive and indirectly beneficial to the country are neglected, and amongst these the Amberloy and Brunnerton extension occupies a prominent place. This line would open up a valuable piece of country on the watershed of the Ahaura, and from the hour of its completiou the carriage of timber alone would tax its carrying capacity to the fullest extent. It would render easy of access a goldfield unworkod at present on account of the difficulty experienced in placing provisions upon the ground; and it would connect the extensive coal deposits of the Grey River with Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. It would do this and more, for it would people a wilderness, but no matter how much good might accrue from its construction this line will not be made by the present Ministry, because its completion would deprive Nelson of its West Coast trade —an injury the inhabitants of that somewhat somnolent town will not permit, and one that will not bo attempted, while the six votes of its members are necessary to the existence of the Grey Government.