The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1331, 6 January 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1881.

Although the report of Messrs Thornton and Browne on the late flying survey they made from the Hurunni to Brunnerton has not yet become public as to the practicability of carrying a railway through the range that divides the East and West Coasts, at the same time, from an interview with these engineers when here, we learned there was little doubt but that their effoits had been crownel with the greatest success. Our neighbours on the other side of the range, judging from the remarks that appear from time to time in the journals of the city ‘cif the plains are very sanguine of this undertaking, and also of the remunerative character of the contemplated work. Writing on this subject, the Christchurch Press (Ist inst.) observes: “ That * railway to the West Coast would be of very large advantage, not only to the people of Westland, but to those on this side of the range we have always steadfastly maintained. This was a woit which years ago was pressed upon the attention of the authorities. It was a favoiifce project of the superintendent who last administered the affairs of Canterbury, and has long been the cherished dream of those interested in the progress of this part of the colony. A line to Brunnerton was in. eluded in Mr Macandrew’s grand scheme of railway construction promulgated in 1878, and received some half-hearted support at his hands. His sympathies were, of course, further South. His tender regard for the Otago Central Railway led him to look forward to its extension to Hokitika via the Haast as a probable work

in the not distant future. Bat the colony has had a rude awakening since then, and Otago Centrals, and West Coast lines, have been' ruthlessly struck out of the list of enterprises upon which we were prepared to spend fresh sums of money. But although New Zealand may not be in a position to spend large sums of money upon such gigantic undertakings, it does not follow that a work like '"the West Coast Railway should not he gone on with* Those who are busying themselves With the question at the present time think that the line might be built by private enterprise. They are of opinion that if the Government of the colony are prepared to grant certain concessions the money to make the line with can be found. We are not aware what the precise nature of these concessions are. Of course, they expect a grant of land ; but of what area and in what localities we are not informed. It is contended that a railway from the Hurunui to Brunnerton would open up a large extent of country, probably rich in timber and minerals, which at the present time is practically valueless. A company might, under certain conditions, build a railway if, in addition to the traffic revenue, they had the chance of making money out of the land rendered valuable by the construction of the line, and we should imagine that if their proposals were at all reasonable Parliament would be prepared to give them every encouragement. It may be asked, no doubt, why should the Government not gd into the speculation itself. The answer is obvious enough. What private enterprise might make remunerative, the Government would probably make a. terrible mess of. There are many things which a company of business men could ‘do to make their line payable, which the State could -not undertake. But even were there little apparent risk attached to the enterprise, the colony has its hands quite full enough at the present time of undertakings of a similar nature to find time to go into fresh speculations. It is, therefore, exceedingly likely .that the present generation will have passed away if the West Coast Railway is not to be constructed till the Government finds the money.” It is only to be hoped that when the promoters attempt to float the company, they will receive the hearty support and co-operation of the. residents on botl{_ .sides of the range; and should Messrs Thornton and Browne’s report, when made, only bear out what at present is simply surmised, there can be little doubt of the remunerative character of the undertaking, and the benefits that will accrue thereby, not only to the East and West Coasts, but to tbe colony at large.