WEST COAST RAILWAY ROUTES:

Kumara Times, Issue 2558, 15 November 1884, Page 2

WEST COAST RAILWAY ROUTES:

A report on the proposed East and. West Coast Railway (Middle Island), by the Assistant Eugineer-in-Chief (Mr W. N. Blair), was presented to Parliament on the 4th inst. The report states that although only preliminary surveys, they are more in detail than usual, and the estimates may be accepted with considerable confidence. ( The surveys have all been made on the same basis, the steepest gradient for the premature line being 1 in 50, and sharpest curve 7|- chains radius. Alternative lines with steeper gradients to be worked by stationary or Fell engines, have also been surveyed at the crossing of the main range bu the Elurunui and Arthur's Pass routes. These were iutended as a temporary expedient, to save the cost of the Ion"tunnels till the traffic develops, but the first saving is not sufficient to counterbalance the extra cost of workhi" the inclines and the ultimate loss in abandoning them.

The Engineer reports the tenor of the report is strongly in favor of the Arthur's Pass route.

The general results of last year's surveys are that the Cannibal Gorge route is found to be somewhat more difficult than was expected, and the Lake Lyndon one much more difficult. The Hnrunui route is somewhat easier, find the Armiri and Arthur's Pass routes very much easier than the previous information led us to expect. One of the most important considerations in selecting a rote for a railway to the East and West Coast is the distance lo travel between the principal centres. The following statement enables a comparison to be readily made of the various usances ;