THE BRUNNER RAILWAY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1406, 1 February 1873, Page 2

THE BRUNNER RAILWAY.

[to ihe editor.] Sik— Mr Kennedy's address in the County Council respecting the cost of. raising coal at the coal-mine, and the probable paying capacities of the L 54,000 railway, induces me to claim your indnli gence with, a view to correct any -errd-; neous impressions that may have been made with respect to the same. Mr Kennedy makes a fair allowance Jor working the line, provides interest and sinking fund, then makes a clean breast of it and jumps over the poor Brunner coal-mine ajid its owner (the source of all its profit) leaving a solitary half-crown* per tou oat of pure charity for cutting the coal, trucking to mouth of mine, wear and tear of plant and gear, opening up and proving the mine, &c, &c. There are two sides to every question, as there are two sides to the Grey River, and it would be well for Mr Kennedy were he to look into both sides before laying figures before the County Council. The BaOarat Company never did get any coal raised, for the sum of 2s 6d ; but the lowest cost, price to the company, . without profit, including trucking and expenses of management, was in no case less than 7s 6d per ton. The cutting the coal alone cost 4s per ton on an average, without trucking and expenses of management. . . Taking 30,000 tons of coal per annum as the demand, the lowest possible price the coal could be raised at the Brunner coal-mine would be 5s 6d per ton, including wear and tear, &c. ; and then, does Mr Kennedy think the Superintendent of ° Nelson is going to indemnify the General Government to half the amount, of interest, &c. on L 04,006— equal to L 1620 per annum, and get no royalty or equivalent for the risk ? Besides this, all scientific men are aware that a considerable iS outlay will have to be made to put the mine in working order for the delivery of such quantities of coal. I will not further take up your space.' but would just add that, whichever side of the river the railway is constructed, it will not further either interest to misrepresent the case, as it will be sure to go before men who are more, competent; to judge before the line becomes a reality.* " IChakles Sbaton. -