THE PROPOSED RAILWAY FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO THE WEST COAST.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 159, 19 January 1867, Page 3

THE PROPOSED RAILWAY FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO THE WEST COAST.

DEBATE IN THE . PROVINCIAL : , COUNCIL. |& (Abridged from the Lyttelton Times.) Mr Thomson, 'before moving the resolur^ tion standing in his name, wished to be allowed' to add a few words to tho cud of it. He would read it with the proposed addition :— " That this Council considers that a more rapid and easy mode of communication by land between this and the West Coast of the province is urgently required. That, therefore, this Council would respectfully recommend his Honor the Superintendent to take such steps, by offering such" a' guaranteed moderate rate of interet&for. a term of years on tho requisite outlay, as may induce contractors ! or Others to undertake the construction and due working of a line of Railway between Chrißtchurch and Hokitika, " and will indemify his Honor in any expenditure not exceeding LSOOO on any measures necessary,; to carry out the above." The amendment having been allowed, Mr Thomson proceeded : It would be in the recollection of hon. members that in a previous .session of the Council the hon. member-' [ for Christchurch (Mr Hawkes) had brought down rjijolutions embodying the^satne idea. TMi resolution which he (Mr Tliomsoffflwliad tho honor to lay before tho Housclywent f urI ther than the resolutions ln^filluded to, inasmuch as it asserted the necessity of having a regular line of lailroad from the East to the West Coa:^. His object in bringing' it before the was that during the recess such pre&uinaiy steps might be undertaken with advantage to the province. "If the' plan, was at all practicable he was sure there were few members of that House who would venture to oppose -it. The advantages to bo derived from such a Ijne of communication between the two sides of the provinces were, he believed, enormous. On the one hand jt would enable the stockowners and agriculturists to dispose of their surplus stock to advantage ; and on the other, it would (secure .to the residents on tho western side full supplies of those necessaries of life which they could procure nowhere else so well or so cheaply. Were there a railway from Christchuruh to Hokitika, or rather from Lyttolton to Hokitika, we should find all the large merchants stationed in the former place. There was one objection which might be urged against liis scheme. That was that the gold fields might in a few years be worked out. Those best informed on the subject believed that the gold fields of West Canterbury would last for many years to come, affording- profitable occupation to a large population. But, admitting that the gold ! fields might be worked out, the-land on the western side of the ranges was so fertile that a large and flourishing, population must eventually settle on it. That land was destined to become more productive and of much more value than the land on the eastern side of the province. The population of Wostlaud was even now very large, and there was every reason to believe that it would go on increasing. The customs receipts of the West Coast, or rather the provincial share of them, was estimated at L4i},ooo for the present financial year. In succeeding years those receipts must increase, and if JJUihe railway proposed in his resolutions Pr. ere made the customs receipts of East Canterbury would also increase. Therewas no practical difficulty in the way of. the scheme proposed. The system of guaranteeing, a curtain rate of interest on railways was in force in India and the Cape of Good Hope, and had been found to work admirably. Mr Hawkes seconded tho resolution. He was in favor of inducing foreign capitalists to Undertake the construction of tlie great public works of tho province. The only difficulty he saw in tho way of the proposed railway w;',s its enormous cost. He had an estimate of a tramway prepared— a rough estimate it was true — but it was one which was reliable, and he found that a tramway from Christchurch to Hokitika— to bo used either, for horses L or steam— would cost at the very least L 450,000 . :' He thonght voting a sum of " L4OOO for preliminary expenses a very wise step. It would show that tho Council was thoroughly in earnest, would put his Honor the Superintendent in a position to obtain the very best advice, and. would strengthen hia hands in every way. Mr Beswick, on behalf of the Government, supported the resolution. Ho considered it an essential necessity that the East and West Coasts should be connected by a railway. Mr Jollie: took exception to the wording of the resolution, Instead of carryinf.the railway from Ohristchurch to Hokitika it might be found on examination, moro advantageous to take it to Grey mouth. Ho did not say absolutely that such would be the case. He merely warned the House that it would bs much better-. to leave it an opou question by changing the words in the resolution. He thought it would be desirable to have more information before giving auch large powers to the Superintendent and jiis Executive-—not that he doubed for one moment, either the patriotism or prudence of Ids, Hpnor— but because he considered it aviso, on a subject of such vast importance, to proceed very cautiously indeed. He would suggest that the resolution be broken; up f that the first part stop at the word "required ;"■ that the remainder, as printed, - he, left out, and that the addition ?c proposod by the hon. mover form a second resolution. Mr Walker seconded this 'amendment. Mr Thomson said he was quite willing to substitute " West Coast" for " Hokitika," but he could not agree to the amendment .proposed by his hon. friend the member; , for Solwyn. It would destroy the spirit of his resolution ; it would even leave 1 out the idea of a railway. MivStewart thought " more rapid and easy mode of cdirimnmcation'' should be left out of the resolution. „.-: Mr Jollie suggested that the word 3 ' '.railway or tj&mway;" should be inserted instead, of >tUe; words mentioned by the lion. Provincial Secretary ; and that the worils •'" by land"' be struck out. Mr Barff had no desire to oppose the spirit of the resolution but he would ask hori'. members whether, if they adopted ;^ghe exact words used, they would not be too much. The resolution, as '■proposed,' said thivt a railway or' tram way • was 'absolutely ..necessary and urgently required. Ho was not prepared to go so far us that, although he was quite willing to support a vote of LSOOO for preliminary i

expenses, provided always that the inhabitants <of the West Coast should not be asked to bear a fair share of the expense. - - : .. ' ' Mr Cassius said he had listened to the various' speeches which had been made, and more especially those which had come from the Government bench, with feelings of disappointment— almost of regret. The idea of a railway or, tramway to' connect the oastern and western sides of the province was, in his opinion, premature. He did not object to surveys being taken with a view to contracts being entered into with foreign capitalists at some future time,' but ho' must protest in the name of the -district he ' had the honor to represent against any part of the expense being charged against the West Coast. He could nut help alluding to the road which had been constructed over the ranges at an unheard of price, and without any consultation whatever with those who were how called on to bear a largo share of the expense. The people of Westland could never forget that road, and it would be impossible to delude them into the belief that they had derived any advantage from it whatever, other than the advantage of being graciously permitted to put their hands in their pockets and pay for it. The road had been constructed ostensibly for the bonefit of the West Coast. But what were, the facts ? Why, that East Canterbury' 'derived all the advantage' while West Canterbury was called on to pay the lion's share of the cost. It was for this reason, it was because he could not forget , that road or the circumstances under which it had been constructed, that he took tho very earliest opportunity of protesting against a further outlay from which his constituents, could dovive no benefit, but which, doubtless, they would be called on to contribute to. He could not, and would not allow tho subject to bo even mooted without protesting against "any part of the expenses either preliminary or future being charged to the account of Westland. He was mostanxious and he had repeatedly said so, that tho friendly and mercantile relations between the two parts of the province should be continued, but he could not ignore tho fact that natur.e had placed between them an almost insurmountable barrier, and had provided a means of livelihood for the inhabitants on each side the range totally distinct in its bearings, and totally different in its tendencies. The people of Westland were quite willing that the two parts of the province should be connected by means of a railway if only East Canterbury paid for its construction. They did not wish to deny the eastern side any advantages which such a railway might confer, and they certainly did not wish to take from East Canterbury the privilege of paying for these advantages. In a word, tho people' of Westland believed that in this matter the people of Eastland ought to bear the burden, because all the advantage would be on their side. Let hon members think for a moment, and they would see that Westland could supply all her wants by sea far cheaper and far more effectually-than she could by means of , a railway from Hokitika to the port of Lyttelton. If anything could induce him advocate the construction of a railway, over the ranges it would bo that Hokitika might — as she undoubtedly in. th,at. case would — enjoy the advantage of supplying East Canterbury with merchandise, while the latter would send, in return, her cattle and sheep, and her agricultural produce. Any one who had the slightest knowledge of the. question, any p-ne who took the trouble to study the geographical position ,of Hokitika in relation to the Australian colonies, whence most of our supplies were drawn, would see that no port in New Zealand, least of all Lyttelton, had the slightest chance of competing on favorable terms with Melbourne. If it could be shewn to him beyond a doubt that an agricultural country existed between the two coasts of sufficient magnitude and probable fertility for the settlement of a large and thriving population — if this could be proved bayond a doubt, then ho would support this railway scheme most heartily. He had not consulted with his hon colleagues about this scheme, but he would be very much disappointed indeed if they did-not agree with him in the line ho had taken. The only communication which the people on the West Coast wanted" with Eastland was that by electric telegraph. The telegraph was thegonly nsoful measure -which the Government. of Canterbury had carried through, and it was the only thing which the people on the West Coast derived the least advantage from. In point of usefulness, theJ road was not to be compared to it for one|j moment. The laughable and utterly ridiculous returns which appeared from time to time in the public journals, showing the passenger traffic besween East and West Canterbury proved beyond the shadow of a doubt the fallacious hopes which had been raised by the road, and the outrageous mistake which had been made in constructing it. That road, he was bound to repeat, Md never been of any practical use, and would remain a monument of the supreme folly which guided the councils of the province when it was constructed. Unless' tho promoters of the railway schem were prepared to prove in an unmistakeable manner that there existed : between the proposed termini of the line such an extensive tract of; rich agricultural country as would suffice for the production of those necessaries of life in sufficient .abun- ' dance which botlv East and West Canterbury required, he would feel it is boundeh duty to oppose to the very utmost even the preliminary expenses .of a survey. He believed that this irrational scheme had originated with those who dreamed of a great future for the Grey River coal-field. It struck him forcidly that there existed a very intimate connection between the proposal of a railway to Westland, and the intention to lease that large reserve to a company. He was very much opposed to the alienation from the province of 5000 acres of country rich beyond even the conception of any hon member of that House, and he would consider it is duty to offer as strong objections to this as he did to saddling Westland with even one fraction of the expense attendant on the construe- _ tion of a railway. So far as sending supplies of merchandise was concerned East Canterbury was, and ever would be, uselesl to Westlaud. He spoke from an exp<m.Qnce of two years, and from a very : «§se observation. There was not, ho beflwed, sufficient energy among the merHBjtile community of East Canterbury, ■Hfeuflicient go-a-headism, if he might be H^X| c (l to use the term, to induce them ■^■iempt to supply Westland with any Who had gone from East to West [^^B|bury and settled there T. What HHfjfkad they done ? If, in' the heat

of debate, he had allowed' himself itb- be carried away ; if ho had made use of any expressions which could be called'iirtlie " ■least offensive, either to the hou members of the House, or to the . people of East Canterbury, he begged to apologise. (Hear hear.) The subject was one which he felt deeply, and his language might be stronger at time; than Avas consistent with the dignity of the House. But ho ...was. sure lion members would give him : credit for at least a desire to express himself beconir ingly. (Hear, hear.) The '■people of Westland had felt themselves constantly haunted and harrassed with a debt which was alleged to ' be due by them to East Canterbury— a debt which; might be dub, or might not, but which the inhabitants of Westland felt had been incurred, not only without their sanction, but without evon allowing them the expression of any opinion on the matter. It was for this reason that he again protested most solemnly against the railway scheme. Let its supporters show, and let Government, give an assurance that its construction will entail no' expense on Westland, and ho, for one, would raise no objection to it. On. the contrary, he Ayrmld look on it as an additional means. of cementing that friendly feeling which, whatever their fortunes might be in the future, he hoped would j always be maintained between the two '< parts of the Province. (Hear, hear.) Mr Bright was disposed to support the resolution, if an assurance were given that the preliminary expenses would bo 1 borne out of the general revenue of the Province. He foresaw that the construction of this railway would bo <>f very great advantage to the people of East Canterbury, for it would be the means of supplying them with their merchandise at a much cheaper rate. If this railway were,! j made Hnkitika would become the port of' j:su])j>]y for East Canterbury, for it would I. bo the means of supplying them. with. their .merchandise at a much cheaper rate. If this railway were mrule l Hokitika would become the port of supply for East Canterbury, for it would not be disputed that Hokitika was the nearest port in all New Zealand to Hie whole of Australia. From Melbourne they could got supplies in four j .or five days by means of a tine fleet of i steamers, and he would repeat that if: this I proposal were carried out it would make Westland the great source of supply for East Canterbury. Mr Whall said he would support the. resolution, because he believed the construction of a railway such as that alluded to would benefit the whole Province alike.' The West Coast merchants had' nothing to dread from competition. All that they looked to, or need look to, was that they should not be saddled .with dobt.: Mr Moutgomery/had not heard any argument adduced which proved satisfactorily to ' -hint the desirability of constructing a railway or tramway .from East to West Canterbury. He had listened very attentively to the hon. memner for Hokitika (Mr Cassins) and the impression left on his mind was, that the hon. gentleman had spoken good sound sense. For what was this railway or tramway wanted? If for the conveyance of passengers, he had no hesitation in saying that it would never pay its working expenses ; if. for the transport of merchandise, it was clear that at no time would there ever be a demand in Westland for anything which Eastland could supply, unless by mere accident, and then only for light goods. He quite agreed with the hon. member for Hokitika (Mr Cassius) in thinking that the merchants on this side the range could never, even with a railway, compete with the merchants on the other side. There were sufficient .geographical and physical reasons why such should be their relative positions. Did the promoters of the railway expect to bring coal from the West Coast to supply the wants of the East ? Coal could be brought at afar cheaper rate . f) om Australia. Did they hope to carry ! on a large trade in cattle ? They could bo drivon over the ranges for a great deal less than the cost of their transport by railway. He would not now discuss the principle involved in guaranteeing a certain rate of interest on the construction of public works, as it was not so immediately before the House. He could not vote for either the resolution or.ainenndment. The Speaker then put the question that the words proposed to bo admitted stand part of the question. The motion was negatived, and the words were inserted in the first part of the resolution. Colonel White proposed that the word " this " be struck out, and the words "the East "inserted in lieu of it. He j also proposed that the word " urgently " fshould be struck out. Mr Whall seconded this amendment. Mr Thomson was quite '-willing to agree to the first part of the amendment, but he must oppose the striking out of the word " urgentljv" The railway would be of great and 'immediate advantage. If he had not thought it was urgently required he would not have proposed his resolution. The first part of the amendment was .agreed to; -and; the word' " urgently " was allowed to stand part of the resolution. Mr Jollie proposed that the words, " That therefore this Council would respectfully recommend his Honor the Superintendent to take such .'step's,: by' offering such a mb'derate guaranteed rate of interest for :a ;term of years oil; the requisite outlay, as may induce contractors or others to undertake, the construction and due working of aline, of "railway; between Christchurch and Hokitika,''' be altogether omitted. • ; ': ' > The amendment was seconded. .-■-.: • Several other verbal amendments were . proposed. Ultimately the' resolution was put in the following shape : — " That this Council considers that railway or tramway communication between the East and West Coasts of the Province is urgently required: That therefore this Council would respectfully recommend his Honor the Superintendent to take suclv steps, by offering such a guaranteed moderate rate of interest for a- term of years oh the ; requisite outlay, and obtaining such data as may induce contractors or others to undertake the construction of a line of railway or tramway between the East and We^t Coasts. , And this Council will indemnify his Honor in any expenditure not exceeding LSOOO on any measiu-e necessary to carry out the above." A division took place on the amended resolution, which resulted as follows : — •■ Ayes, 16 — Bright, Hawkes, Maskoll, Moore, Hoos, White, Whall, Wylde, Barff, Beswick, Garnet, J. S. Williams, Stewart, Davis, Sheath, Thomson. • ' Noes 7— Walker, Jollie, Rhodes, Montgomery, Cassiws, H. Buchanan, Hornbrook. V „;,'■•. The resolutiili was carried.