MR. BLAIR'S REPORT ON THE RAILWAY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 187, 7 August 1879, Page 2

MR. BLAIR'S REPORT ON THE RAILWAY.

We yesterday stated that Mr Acton Adams had asked to have Mr Blair's report on the Nelson and West Coast railway laid on the table of the House. The information wa3 furnished last night, and we regret to say that it is of a most unfavorable character. A telegram to the Colonist gives the report bs follows : — " 1. That beyond the completion of the Greymouth and Hokitika Kailway, and a section from Brunnerton to Nelson Creek, no railways be undertaken on the West Coast for the present. "2. That the idea of the East and West Coast Raihvay be abandoned in favor of the \ Greymouth harbor. The said harbor to be , made available for small vessels with the least possible delay, and afterwards to be made adapted for large colliers as required " 3. That beyond completing tbe line through the Weka Pass to the Waikari Valley, no part of the main trunk Hue be undertaken for the presenl. '' 4. That, in lieu of railways, the main trunk road be made or completed from Blenheim to Amberley ; Top House to Hanmer Plains , Hampden to Ahaura via the Maruia Plains, and along such leading valleys in Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland as may bo n^^oosary for n r oniu 5 up the oountry. "5. That surveys be made of the main trunk line from Amberley to Picton, and that the survey now iv hand from Nelson to the Buller Valley be finished." We should like to bear some more about this report, and the data upon which it is based, for it must be remembered that a trunk line from one end of the island to the I other was a prominent feature in the public works scheme as originally introduced, and it is Dot to be expected that this will be set on one side at the mere suggestion of a single individual, no matter how great may be his professional reputation. We bave no doubt that our members will take care to extract further information.