Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1884. THE CENTRAL ROUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 173, 19 June 1884, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1884. THE CENTRAL ROUTE.

We make no apology for again returning to the discussion of this question, the final settlement of which must of necessity now be postponed till next session. From the Wellington papers we learn that on Tuesday afternoon the Minister for Public Works laid upon the table of the House reports upon the three several routes for the i proposed main trunk line to connect Auckland with Wellington. The first report is that furnished by Mr John Rochitort, and deals with his explanation for a central line between Marton and Te Awamutu. This line he_ considers wjlLnoLexceed 200 or 210 miles m length at the outside, and he is of opinion that the grades will be nowhere steeper than lin 80. The probable cost per mile, including everything except land, may, according to his report, be estimated at from £6000 to The country through which the line passes is described m the report as being, m most places, very good, and the extent and importance of the country opened up as being considerable. The line would appear to pass through a good deal of timbered country, although the greater stretch of the country through which it passes is described as open. The next route dealt with is the eastern route, surveyed by Mr Williams, who says m his report : " With regard to the capabilities of the country generally for supporting a line passing through it, I am afraid I cannot speak favourably. For the first sixteen miles the line passes through good agricultural country, but it is already fairly well connected with roads leading to the railway to Napier. I think it probable I that a branch line so far would be a j success." The western route is reported upon by Mr R. W. Holmes. This line would start from Stratford and join Mr Rochfout 1 s proposed line, about 24 miles south of Te Awamutu. The length would be about 123 miles, and the cost would probably be J?7000 per mile, not including cost of land. The grades would be easy, the stiffest being one m fifty. The length of the line is estimated at 170 miles, and an approximate estimate of its cost, including formation, rails, rolling stock and stations, amounts to • This report is silent as to the nature of the soil of the country through which the line would pass, or as to" the extent- and: character of the country that would be opened up. All these reports are of an exhaustive nature as to the probable character of the work of construction, &c., and to Mr Rochfoht's is appended some interesting information with regard to the natives along the route. For our part, we trust the question of first cost only will not be the sole consideration involved. The cheapest route, so far as cost of construction is concerned, should and must not be the sole element m the question. If it is to be a " central route,"" let it be so m something more than name only. We are perfectly unconcerned m the matter of point of connection with the existing \\ne s,o Jong as. if is b.etwcen Wanganui and Pajmerston. Nprs of Wanganui the term ??gepfpd FPH^' must, gographically speaking, pea mis-nomev. Let it be up any of the river valleys that are found practicable, whether the . Wangaehu, Turakina, Porewa, Rangitikei, or Oroua, and the result must be the same, or nearly so, to all the districts between the Wanganui and Manawatu rivers. All will experience a large share of benefit m being brought into direct communication! with a series of markets for their

produce. Local prejudices should be kept out of the question, and on its merits alone as a " central route" should the final decision be given. No matter where the point of juncture, within the limits named, Palmerston must be benefited to a large extent, and its geographical position still further enchanced as a great inland centre and railway terminus. We are not disposed to feel regret that, by the political crisis that has taken place, more time is allowed m which to prosecute surveys, acquire local knowledge, and by these means arrive at correct conclusions on so important a question. It is to be hoped that every effort will be put forth to prevent a " job" being perpetrated, and that the future central route will reflect creditably on the wisdom, impartiality and independence of the Legislature.