REPORT

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 665, 23 March 1859, Page 5

REPORT

From the Railway Commissioners appointed under the resolutions of the Provincial Council, of Canterbury, Nov. 11,1858. TO HIS HONOR THE SUFEEINTENDENT. Office of Public Works, Christchurch, New Zealand, March 18, 1859.

Sir, —Your Commissioners beg to report that after having made a personal examination of the whole of the surveyed districts of the province they recommend the establishment of the following system of railways, viz.:—

1.-A- central station on the south side of the town of Christchurch, connected with the river navigation by a line to a wharf on the north bank of,the River Heathcote.

2. A line to the northern frontier through Kaiapoi, terminating at a new township to be formed on-the Waitohi plains. :3. A line towards the southern frontier through Timarn, with new townships on the Ashburton, at Arowenua Bush, and Waimate Bush, and a terminus at the last named place. 4. A branch line from Timara up the valley of the Opihi to a new township to be formed at Burkes Pass, to connect the Waitaki and Molyneux Vallies with Timaru and Christchureh.

5. A line from Christchurch to the valley of the Little Biver to connect the capital with the forests on Banks Peninsula,; with a new township to be formed near Lake Forsyth. Your Commissioners, having taken into consideration the desirability of opening up the Malyern Hills coal field, are of opuiion that the surface coal at present accessible, although valuable for local use, is riot of a quality to compete in the Christchurch market with either the Sydney or Manukau coal, and therefore do not recommend the reservation of any mineral lines until both this and the Canterbury coal fields have been properly tested. Your Commissioners are of opinion that it would be of great benefit to the province if a wooden tramway were laid down from Harewood Forest to a timber depot to be formed on the north bank of the Waimakariri for supplying the capital with timber and firewood; but they do not consider it necessary at present to make any further provision for railway communication with the Oxford district. "■ The general character of the country through which these lines would pass is that of a level plain, and the principal works would be the bridges over the larger rivers. The only hilly country to contend with is at the Weka Pass range on the North line, the Timaru Downs on the South line, and the Opihi Gorge and Burkes Pass on the line to the. Waitaki Valley. Except at those points the rails may for the most part be laid at the gradients; formed by the natural surface of the, plain without either «ut- ; iarigsTOT:embankments.- ..'-- - :■'■„ .-. 'Your Commissioners beg to recommend that" the Chief Surveyor and the Provincial Engineer should be jointly charged with the work of laying out the proposed lines of Railway upon the ground, that their sites may be at once reserved from sale? and would advise that a bill be brought into the Provincial' Council during the ensuing session, to enable the Government to purchase the private property required for their construction. Your Commissioners have had under their consideration the question whether, with regard to such lines as the Government may offer on lease to private companies, it will be desirable that the execution of the works should devolve on the Government or on the lessees, and they are of opinion that the most advantageous course to be adopted insuch cases is for the Government to construct the Railways ready for the reception of the permanent way, leading the rails, station accommodation, and rolling-stock, to be provided by the lessees. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CHBISTCHUBCH AND LYTTELTON. In accordance with the resolutions of the Provincial Council, your Commissioners have prepared and forward herewith for transmission to England an atlas of plans and reports which they consider will enable any English Contractor to form a competent opinion upon the practicability and, cpst of all the lines which have been under the consideration of the Provincial Council. Your Commissioners have the honor to remain, Sir, Your obedient servants, E. Dobson, Provincial Engineer, Chairman. . J. Ohiviee, Provincial Secretary. T. Cass, Chief Surveyor. W. B. Beat • H. Whitcombe R. J. S. Haeman J. Wylde