THE EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Kumara Times, Issue 914, 4 September 1879, Page 4

THE EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAY.

The East and West Coast Railway forms a prominent feature in the speeches of the different candidates in the Canterbury district, and the same doubtful feeling seems to pervade them. The Hon. Mr Fisher, the Postmaster-General, in hia speech at Woolston, on Tuesday, said—“ The route for the West Coast Railway had not yet been decided upon, but it was, he believed, the intention of the Government to carry out that railway. (Cheers.) That work, if carried out, would be a great credit to the Colony." At Heathcote, on Wednesday, Mr Fisher said—“ With regard to the report on the West Coast Railway routes, which had been furnished by Mr Blair, he rather thought that Mr Blair had, in that instance, exceeded his duty. Perhaps he was wrong to say that. Mr Blair had, no doubt, believed it his duty to report as he did. He thought that the railway would not pay, and considered it hia duty to say so. Mr Blair, of course, regarded the matter from a scientific point of view, but there was room for a difference of opinion, and they must not lay too much stress on that report, which was a purely professional one.”—The Hon. John Hall, the new leader of the Opposition, and who was returned without opposition, was careful not to commit himself, for he said at Leeston, on Monday—lf the railway to the West Coast would pay expenses he would support it, but he would like to study Mr Blair’s report.”—ln reply to an elector at Christchurch, on Tuesday, Mr Stevens said he succeeded in getting a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce together last year to discuss this subject and to urge upon the Government the same, as it was of very great importance both to Christchurch and the West Coast, as the coal and timber could be brought over from there, and the Australian trade would come by way of Christchurch. He said that Mr Blair, the engineer-in-charge, was opposed to this work being proceeded with on account of its cost and the heaviest traffic on the line having to be taken over the worst gradients. He hoped, although it was a heavy work and was estimated by Mr Blair at L 1,100,000, that it would, nevertheless, be pushed forward.”—The Hon. Mr Bowen, late Minister of Education, said at Kaiapoi, oq Tuesday—“ With regard to local matters, the one essential public work—he meant those works which could be dealt with in Parliament, not matters which could be dealt with by local bodies—the one thing that all the Canterbury members had to insist upon, and had insisted upon, was the prosecution of the West Coast Railway from Amberley to the West Coast. That was essential to the welfare of this part of the country, and he was happy to say, was considered so by the members of the West Coast. (Applause). He hoped it would be pushed forward in spite of the unfavorable report which had lately been made upon it. He had talked it over with many who were well acquainted with the subject, and was of opinion that all the difficulties spoken of were as nothing to the difficulties which had had to be overcome on the Rimutaka Ranges in the North Island, and not so insuperable as could be found in other places in the country. But he would say that, whatever the difficulties might be, the railway must be carried though, and every member for Canterbury must insist upon. He believed that it would be carried through because the people on the other aide as well as on this were determined that it should be. (Applause.)” The Sub committee of the East and Ws at Coast Railway at Hokitika have compiled the following statistics as an answer to Mr Blair’s report ;~Statistics, corrected from estimates based on actual experience and local knowledge, were prepared and completed, showing the probable traffic receipts from the line. • Mr Blair, in his report, estimates the total revenue of the railway to be L36,oooper annum, but the statistics prepared by the sub committee show a probable annual revenue of L 168,910. The difference in these amounts is amazing, but that the estimates of the sub committee of the league are accurate the following figures show : Coals ; Mines now at work are capable of producing 300,000 tons per annum ; estimate of probable traffic, 100,000 tons per annum, at ig 3 per ton, L 75.000. Timber ; Twelve sawmills cutting 20,000 tons per week, equaUo 12,500,000 feet per annum at 5s per 100 feet (the present cost of delivery in Christchurch), L 31.550. Firewood, posts and rails, &c.. L2OOO. Sleepers, say 100,000 per annum at 5s per 100 feet, L 6250, General merchandise : Actual tonnage imported into the port of Hokitika (exclusive of coals), for the year ended December 1878, 9000 tons Tlßrnn r° n (j Vera " e scale rate), L 13,500. Estimated yearly tonnage into Greymonth (the actual figures are not yet to a and), say the same as Hokitika, 9000 tons at 30a per ton, L 13,5000. Stock (computed on actual returns of present fo at si9n C E U ®J 60 head P er week , equal Tißcn sead5 ead p , er annura > at 10s each, firm’ Sheep ’ 600 per week - equal to *o,UOO per annum, at Is 6d, L 1950. PaswTpV w?V Say f SO r q Jal to ;ftnn qual t 0 300 per week > L 25400 p\ 6o ? per annum . at 30s, iu»,4UO. Parcels, &c., aav LSOO Total corrected estimate, H 68.910. ’ 111