SUMNER RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2060, 30 September 1880, Page 3

SUMNER RAILWAY.

TO THE BDITOB OF THB PEESB. Sib, —A letter in your issue of yesterday from Mr Edward J. T. Ford, whioh gives some information regarding the proposod line to Sumner, would be all tho better for a little criticism.

I do not propose to doal with Mr Ford's calculations as to the remunerativeness of the lino, nor with the advantages it will present to the community ; but, if an estimate of cost ia given out it should be a fair one. I have carefully examined the estimate and feel certain that it is quite unreliable. F->r instance, the only ballast procurable is broken stone, and that is down at 3s per cubic yard. Very few peoplo, professional or otherwise, will Bwullow that. Bkeepers are down at 3s 6d ; possibly they may be obtained for that, but it is very unlikely in the face of the fact that the lowest tender for New Zealand sleepers in a recent Government contract was 3s lOd, delivered at Lyttolton or Port Chalmers. To be added to this, in a tender for construction, must bo, of course, tho cost iif adzing and carriage to site, with all tho entailed handling. Then, rails. If the Company are mad enough to put down 30!b. rails on the Bharp curves proposed, it will soon prove to be poor economy. Whoever put down £8 per ; ton for rails must have been quite iguorant of tho state of the home market.

As to the reist of the estimate, comment is useless when the public are made aware of the fact that no survey has been made and no section taken over the proposed route. It is a mere guess, and, moreover, it is the guess of IhcßO anxious to keep the estimate low. Youjs, &c, Enginbbb.