HINDS AND RANGITATA RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1660, 16 June 1879, Page 3

HINDS AND RANGITATA RAILWAY.

A deputation of landowners in the district lying the Rivera Hinds and Rangitata, by Maronan Station, waited upon the Hon. J. Macandrew on Saturday, and were introduced by Mr J. Evans Brown, M.H.R. The interview had reference to a reported divergence of that portion of the proposed loop lino of railway to be constructed between the above-mentioned rivers. Mr J. N, Tosswill stated that it was, he believed, originally intended to make use of the present bridge crossing the River Rangitata for railway purposes. This was the cylinder bridge, about four miles from the base of the hills. From this bridge to the Forks of the Hinds there was a direct road, quite level, and according to the Q-overnment Engineer’s report, requiring little or no formation for a railway line. By bridging the Hinds immediately below the Forks thereof, a Junction would be made with the Mount Somers Railway, now in course of construction. Thus all the land lying between Ashburton and Temuka would be tapped, and through communication secured between those two townships. The Q-overnment were advertising for tenders for the first fifteen miles from Temaka to Rangitata bridge, and as the distance from that bridge to the Mount Somers railway terminus was but about eighteen miles, he urged the immediate construction of the line between those distances. The direct road from the Rangitata bridge to the Forks of the Hinds was the centre of the land lying six miles to the northward of the main line, and was the proper lino for a railway. Why a higher route was thought of he could not imagine, for it would be less central, cost more in construction, and would require a new bridge over the Rangitata (which could not be more than three miles from the present one), and two over the River Hinds. Such bridges cost a vast deal of money, and as the majority of landowners would receive less benefit, he trusted the Government would adhere to the original line. Again, the old line passed through a largo tract of Crown land, and the railway reserve, containing about 7000 acres, lay immediately to the south of it. Every acre of that land, except the reserve, was applied for, and would have been purchased during the week, but that Government withdrew all Crown lands in the district from sale. The increase in value to these Crown lands and the railway reserve would fully pay for the cost of the line, and he believed that every acre of such land could bo sold during the next twelve months, and the Government recouped for the outlay in constructing the railway line. Apart from any personal interest as a landholder, ho urged that it would be wanton waste of public money to build three now bridges where one new one only was required, and a little strengthening to the old one. Ho trusted that the Hon. Minister for Public Works would consider all these points before finally deciding upon the route the proposed line should take. Other members of the deputation, including Messrs W. W. Cobb, H. Thomson, Helmore, Appleby, Whitelaw, Elmslie, and McGregor Watt having spoken to the question, taking mainly the same points touched upon by Mr Tosswill, Mr Macandrew said that he would consider the matter with the Engineer-in-Chief on his return to Wellington, and would return an answer on the subject to tho deputation. Tho deputation, which represented an aggregate ownership of 20,000 acres of freehold, then retired.