SUMNER.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2054, 23 September 1880, Page 3

SUMNER.

There is little doubt that the reason Sumner has not been more habitually resorted to hitherto is due to the faot that a more expeditious and cheaper method of conveyance is desirable—nay, necessary —to place its advantages within the reach of the great body of residents in Ohristchurch and Sydenham. The men of Bmall means and large families require greater facilities, and that such facilities will be placed at their disposal before very long is almost beyond doubt. The projected railway offers advantages unobtainable by any other Bcheme. Every train from Ohristchuroh to Ljtlelton will have Sumner carriaues attached to them, which will be detaohod at the junction of the old Ferry mead branch line, and engines will be in attendance to complete the run to Sumner at once. It will be remembered that when communication by tunnel was established with Lyttelton, the ruiifl were lifted from this branch line. Those will be replaced by the Government without any charge to the company, and it ie from the old Forrymead Btation that the permanent way of the company's lino will commence, running a distance of three and a half miles to Sumner. The promoters claim that the journey from Ohristchurch to Sumner will be performed in not more than half-an-hour, and that there will be no cost incurred for rolling stock, the Government undertaking to work the whole length, debiting the Sumner Bailway Company with the actual cost only, save a very small percentage for managerial expenses, the division 'i of receipts and expenditure boing apportioned according to mileage. The railway from the wharf to Sumner will bo three and a half miles in length, and is to be constructed on the seaward side of the road, except near the Shag Bock, where a slight outting will be made. The

estimated cost of the work iB very considerably below th&t prepared some time sicce for the Government scheme of a railway to Sumner, from the fact that the present plans differ very rnuoh from those submitted for the Government line. This result is brought about by an alteration of the route, by which all deep water is avoided, and in order to secure accuracy of oost, three separate estimates have been prepared by different engineers, the sums named ranging from £BOOO to £IO,OOO. The company has wisely taken the maximum sum as the basis of their calculations of expenditure. As the objeot is to get a railway there will bejjo promoters' shares in the company. It is proposed to erect a wharf at Sumner, which it is hoped will create and foster a coastal trade from the bays. The passenger traffic for the first year has been calculated at 60,000, and although this may seem excessive, it must be borne in mind there are thirteen general holidays in the year; also that a great Saturday to Monday traffic may be safely calculated on. Whether these sanguine predictions will be verified belongs to the future, but no doubt a large increase of health and pleasure seekers will follow the construction of the line. Sumner has possessed a want for a long time, namely, a plentiful supply of pure water. The Railway Company will be in a position to remedy this defect, by laying pipes of sufficient diameter by the side of their permanent way. No doubt the water could be obtained either from the Lyttelton supply in Heathsote Valley, or by sinking artesian wells in a convenient spot, There is also another benefit that the railway will confer on Sumner, and that is the reclamation of the sandy curve indenting from the Shag Rock to the cave. If the railway is formed as indicated a large slioo will be added to a township that some day will be found too small to contain its inhabitants.