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Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1001, 11 October 1871, Page 2

Ik resuming our notice of the statement of the Secretary for Public Works and Immigration, it is necessary to revert to theßubjectof "Railways." By the West Coast Times of yesterday, we find that one of the resolutions to be submitted to the public meeting held at Hokitika last night, was that it should earnestly preus upon the Government the necessity of continuing the railway from the coal mine to Hokitika, and the query naturally arises — Why? Can it for one moment be contended that it would pay — that it can be shown that there is likely to be even sufficient traffic to pay working expenses. The line from the Brunner to the Grey is essentially a coal line, and the framers of the resolution could not have even read the Government propositions, much less have given them one moment's consideration, or else they must have seen how absurd and futile was the resolution. The Colonial Treasurer, Mr Yogel, and the Hon. Mr Gisborne distinctly enunciated that no railways would be constructed, or even considered, unless they came under one of two heads— First, That no railway should be constructed which does not promise at once to payworking expenses ; and secondly, that a power, in certain contingencies, of local rating, should be provided. Therefore to put the matter plainly, is there any probability of a railway from Greymouth to Hokitika even paying the interest on $$0,000 or much less working expenses ; and if in the event of its not doing so, would the inhabitants like to be taxed to support it. We are afraid it will take more logic than any meeting in Hokitika is likely to possess to persuade the Government into laying such a measure before the House of Representatives. And this brings us to the next portion of the statement, "Westland Roads." The main trunk line of road from Greymouth to Bxss was proposed in lieu of any railway works. Mr Gisl>omc says:— "The Government will continue to apply a portion of the Middle Island Hi! nay Fund available for Westland on main roads in Westland, as provided for in the 11th section of the Public Works Act of last session. The amount so available last year was ,£BB7O, and this year it will be about the same. The following is a statement of the roads which

the Governor in Council, as authorised by that section, has prescribed as roads for that purpose, of their estimated cost, and of the amount expended or contracted for up to this date :— Estimated cost of line from Greymouth inland by way of Omotumotu, Marsden, Nemona, Hohonu, Goldsborough, Stafford Town, Hokitika, and Kanieri to Boss, i>35,000; amount expended or contracted for, £6000 6s 7d. Estimated cost of line from a point on the above road about three miles east of Goldsborough. to join tho main road to Christchurch, at or about the seventeenth mile from Hokitika, £3000 ; amount expended or contracted for, £102 385." With regard to the roads there has boen much diversity of opinion. The inhabitants of one portion of the Hokitika district wish it to go in one direction, while it was violently opposed by the residents in another. The same thing has happened in the Grey district, and it is unsettled whether the road shall come from Marsden, via the Omotumotu Creek, or via Sawyers Creek. Surveys have been made of both routes, and it now remains for the Government to decide. Without expressing an opinion upon the relative merits of either, the opening and making up a main road from Greymouth to Hokitika is all that is necessary or cau be expected. There is as yet no public notice of any roads in the Grey Valley having come under the consideration of Mr Gisborne, but it is well known that the Government entertain the proposition of a mainiine of road up the Grey "Valley and over the (Saddle, which we have frequently referred to, and which, if constructed, would confer incalculable advantages upon the residents in the district, if some action is immediately taken in the district.