SUMNER RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2059, 29 September 1880, Page 3

SUMNER RAILWAY.

TO THE KDITOB OF THE FEBSB. Sib,—l shall feel obliged if you will kindly allow me space to reply to the letter of “ Paterfamilias,” which appeared in your issue of Monday. I will first explain the clause in the prospectus, which refers to the estimated income for tbo first year. Taking the number of passengers at 60,000, and reckoning the fare from Christchurch to Sumner and back to average Is 6d (which is considered to be under the mark), the proportion according to mileage receivable by the company would be, say, 9d per head, producing an income for passenger traffio to the company of £2250, to which add the moderate amount of £SOO for

goods and minerals, and we have a gross revenue of £2750. Against this the expenditure is estimated at £2OOO, leaving the sum of £750 ns the nett return for the first year, an stated in the prospectus. Before leaving this subject, I should state that the expenditure put down is in excess of the amount named as sufficient by Mr Buck, the general manager of railways, when giving evidence before the Railway Commission. With reference to tho line of route. As stated in the prospectus, the Government have definitely undertaken to relay the permanent way on the old branch lino from the Lyttelton and Christchurch railway to the Ferrymead wharf. The line to be constructed by '.the company •will therefore commence at tho last-named point, and in order to avoid the heavier earthwork which would be required to cross the mud flats, as was proposed by the Government surveyors, it is intended to follow as nearly as possible the line of the road until the « cutting ”is reached. At this place the Government engineers proposed to take the line through the rock to the south-eastward of the “cutting,” but as this would entail what was considered an unnecessary expense, tho company propose to take it round the point to the north-eastward of the “ cutting,” and then lay the lino in great part on the road reserve running along the foreshore of the estuary until arriving near to Monck’s ; it will then run in as near to the Sumner road as possible until Shag Rock point is reached. At this place the heaviest work and tho sharpest curve on the lino is met with. It is proposed to remove a small portion of the rock at this point, immediately after passing which the lino will necessarily diverge a little from tho line of road, but as soon as tho curve will permit it the railway will bo brought in to and run parallel with roadway, ar.d after passing the next rocky point immediately before reaching the old Sumner Hotel, the line will gradually diverge a little from the road. Arrived at Sumner, it is necessary to say that the site for tho terminus has nut as yet been absolutely decided upon, but the estimates of cost include an amount sufficient to make a station site between a point opposite tho Sumner Hotel and a point nearly opposite the house known as the Cave Rock Boarding House. In a few places where the proposed line unavoidably encroaches upon the present roadway it is proposed to clear sufficient space to make provision for the road being kept inside the railway line. I am aware that a good many people entertain the idea that the railway cannot bo constructed for so small an amount as £IO,OOO, an opinion resulting partly from the seeming difficulties in getting round Shag Rock Point, and from thence into Sumner under the precipice, and partly from the circulation of a report that the estimate made by tho Government engineers considerably exceeded the sum named in tho prospectus. But the Government route has been departed from to a considerable extent, especially where it was found that a deviation would very materially reduce the cost of construction ; and in tho portion from Shag Rock to tho terminus the saving made by tho deviation proposed will be very largo for so short a length. I believe that people generally will not be slow to admit that wnen such a work as that now under consideration is to be constructed by private enterprise it is quite possible to accomplish the end desired for a much smaller outlay than would be the case were the funds of the Government available. “Paterfamilias” states that he would be glad to know what professional gentlemen have been over tho proposed line to estimate the cost. I have every confidence that he will be satisfied by the information that Mr Outhbert, tho Railway Engineer, is one of those whose estimates are referred to in the prospectus, and that Messrs Dobson and Son, who have an intimate knowledge of the locality, extending over many years, have also carefully examined the route and given a written estimate that in their opinion the line can be constructed for . £IO,OOO These estimates I shall bs happy to show to “ Paterfamilias ” or other intending shareholders. That there is every likelihood of the line being a very profitable undertaking is admitted not only by experts but by nearly every one who has given tho matter due consideration. Indeed, it has been received so favorably by the great majority of people that I should think the floating of the company is beyond doubt. If I am not encroaching too much on your valuable space, I should like to say that the provisional directors, in placing the project before the public, have every confidence that it will recommend itself most strongly as a work which is calculated to confer untold benefits upon tho inhabitants of this city and the surrounding neighbourhood. To the weakly and the convaletcent what greater boon can be conferred than by giving them the quick, cheap transit and comfort which can bo afforded by a railway us a means of obtaining the fresh, invigorating sea air. Surely no better tonic than a few hours on tho sea beach can bo obtained by those whose business or necessities compel them to spend the greater part of their lives indoors. The rising generation cannot have a greater treat than a run to Sumner, there to play on tho sands or paddle in the water. __ One look at the faces of a number of children returning from such a visit would convince the most sceptical. I was very glad to see the undertaking recommended from such a point of view in a letter signed “Ozone,” in your issue of the 23rd instant. There are some who would prefer to see the

railway abandoned because they consider Sumner will be “ spoiled ” by a large influx of visitors. These people, being fully alive to its advantages, desire to retain them exclusively for themselves. Ae to whether it is or otherwise I will leave your reader's't<? decide; but, to all who desire to have a share in these advantages, I would say help on the undertaking by applying for shares without loss of time. _ _ Thanking you for the insertion of this letter, I am, &c., Edwabd J. T. Ford, Interim Secretary Sumner Railway Company, Limited. Hereford street, Christchurch, September 28ih, 1880.