NELSON AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1565, 11 August 1873, Page 3

NELSON AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

The following particulars, giving further information, pf vebat was said in the Financial Statement relative to the Nelson ■ and WestCbast railway, were telegraphed to the Colonist by Mr D. M. Lnckie, M.H.R.:— "A coal line from Brunner to Greymouth has been sanctioned, and a line from Nelson to Fox Hill contracted for. During the recess Ministers had interviews and much correspondence with gentlemen derirous of seeing railways extended from Fox Hill to the Brunner. It was very pleasing to the Government to observe the spirit of enterprise displayed by the inhabitants of Nelson in their desire to obtain this railway. At first their idea was to construct it out of money to be locally subscribed, but subsequently we were asked to construct it on the same conditions as apply to other lines, except that there should be given the additional (For continuation ofJSewssed tthpagc.)

security of 30,000 acres of land per mile of railway. Without delay, we caused an examination of the land to be made. The report of the officer appointed to make the examination will be printed, and copies supplied. The result of the .examination has satisfied the Government that the i land, in the absence of fuller, know-, ledge as to its probable mineral wealth, does not afFofd adequate security -for 'the cost of the rail way. The land has at certain amount of value because of the timber upon it, but the timber area available for use is limited. The true value of the land can only be Ascertained by investigating its mineral resources. If, assuming, the existence of these resources, thn construction of a railway were now authorised^' its coarse might, and probably wouldy ultimately prove not to be one favorable to, the development of the mineral wealth of the district. The Government has, therefore, determined that at present they will cot do more than ask the House to authorise a thorough examination;. of r th 3 land, including a preliminary survey for a line of railway. ' ' They recognise that, apart from the question whether tKere are mineialresiburces in the district, it will sooner' or later" 'become necessary, in. order to the completion of a trunk line throngn the Middle Island, that Nelson and the West Coast should be' connected by railway ; but there would- still remain a gap in the means of communication, and it is one concerning which most urgent representations have been made. The importance of connecting the East' and West Coasts of tl>e Middle Island is fully admitted by the Government. Not only will such a connection be the means of opening up to mining- enterprise a great deal of interior country, but it will open to the commercial centres on the East Coast the means of supplying the West Coast a market which has hitherto been almost monopolised by the merchants of Melbourne. I have to announce, therefore, that the Government will propose that the survey operation ' shall not be confined to the contemplated line between ■• Foxhili and the; Brunneiy but •shall; include such a survey as, will (the best course for a railway to connect the East and West Coasts of the Island, and of i bringing them ' into ' connection with the line to the northern portion of the Province of Canterbury.:,; j lt- willf also, be determined whether the Marlborongh railr way can be brought into connection with the trunk system.; ; : With respect to coal lines, the Statementfsays that a further yqte.will be asked in aid of the construction of the Mount; Rochfort coal-field railway, and an additional sum to complete ;the harbor' 'Works : connected with the-Brunner and Greymouth railway." '-■The following 'telegram was ; subsequently sent to the same paper by Mr liuckie : — ; : '['"' : : , "A deputation, consisting of Messrs Curtis, Edwards, Shephard, Luckie, Parker, Collins, Richmond, Harrison, and Sharp, ; had au . interview, with Mr Vogei re the railway. Reference was made Calcutt's report. The Premier asked Mr Curtis to supply a memorandum on that report, and the Government would give the subject further consideration. He said a misapprehension prevailed as to the Government's intention. There was no intentiou to refuse to construct the line ; so far from that he held that the line must ultimately be made, and it was only a question of time. He desired to devote this year to a more thorough examination of the country, so as to determine the best route for working minerals. He requires a more complete survey,* but the line was- considered a necessity, and one of ; their ultimate lines, Vvwhich they would endeavor to bring up