THE WELLINGTON AND MASTERTON RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4984, 14 March 1877, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON AND MASTERTON RAILWAY.

A deputation consisting of the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, M.L.C., Mr. J. Gilligan (Chairman of the West Wairarapa County Council), and M essrs. K. J. Duncan, J. Martin, B. P. Perry, and T. Kempton, junr., waited upon the Hon. J. D. Ormond, Minister of Public Works, at his office, yesterday, for the purpose of making certain representations regarding the Wellington and Masterton railway. The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse introduced the deputation, saying that he had been requested to wait on the Government in reference to this matter. He might say that he had no personal interest to serve, but took up the subject on public grounds, feeling as he did that the proposal to adopt the Kochfort route for the Masterton railway would be the means, if it were carried out, of inflicting very serious injury upon a large section of the Wairarapa settlers, whose interests had not been sufficiently considered in the question. It was stated to be the intention to ran the railway along the foot of the Tararua Ranges, passing about three miles to the west of Greytown. If this were done, there would be no traffic of any consequence for years to come, whereas if the line were carried more to the eastward, it would be advantageous not only to the settlers at large, but also to the railway itself. The Greytown settlers could not see without dismay the prospect of a step being taken by which the value of their property must be so seriously affected. Still, it was recognised that private interests must not stand in the way of the public welfare, and if it were really proved that any other course than that proposed would be detrimental to thepuhlicgood, he for one would not advocate it. But the settlers in Greytown naturally felt aggrieved that while they would have been prepared to produce persona well acquainted with the country, who could give a great deal of information with reference to the course of the rivers during the last twenty years, they bad not been called upon to afford that information, or given an opportunity of doing so, and that the Government had contented themselves with the information volunteered in other directions, and from parties, too, who were represented as having interests adverse to those of the settlers of Greytown. This then was the first point he desired to bring before the hon. gentleman —that the _ railway should not be further proceeded with until there had been an exhaustive survey of the locality, and until persons who were likely to be injuriously affected by the proposed route had an opportunity of setting forth their case, and lending the assistance of their lecal knowledge as to the route which would be generally speaking most advantageous. He would likewise wish to impress upon the Minister of Public Works this fact, that every mile the railway went farther to the eastward would bring a large additional traffic, and would save expense in cartage. It was impossible to look at the line already in construction without seeing that this consideration had been overlooked. Anyone standing on the | hills above Featherston could not help seeing that a much better line might have been selected, one much more conducive to large traffic. He trusted therefore that no further steps would be taken until this matter had been thoroughly looked into, and until the settlers had an opportunity of going over the ground with persons deputed by the Government to make inquiries as to the best route that could be chosen for the railway, and as to the practicability of taking it farther to the eastward. He was not prepared to say what amount in his opinion the Government would be right in expending to meet the wishes of the settlers; on that point he could give no information whatever ; but he thought it might be recognised by the Government that the necessity of satisfying the object of the settlers in Greytown should not be overlooked heedlessly ; that their interests should not be sacrificed wantonly ; and if their views could; possibly be attained by a moderate expenditure of money, the circumstances of the case would certainly justify the Government in un- ■ dertaking that expenditure. Mr, Kempton. remarked that Mr. Kochfort’ a line was formed partly on his expressed opinion that the present banks of the Tauherinikau and Waiohine rivers, at the particular points where that route crossed them, were permanent, and would never shift. Yet both those rivers since had cut new channels for themselves in both those identical places. He explained a route which in his opinion might be taken so as to include Greytown, yet only pass over about a mile and a half of ground liable to flooding. He also pointed out that the liability to damage from floods was vastly increased near the mountains, where the force of the current and the danger from floating logs were so mush greater. Mr. Waterhouse : Some of the settlers are under the impression that it would be possible to carry the railway alongside the present road, as in the case of the Hutt railway. The cost would thus be materially reduced, as the land required could be obtained without expense. There might be engineering difficulties, but no others. Mr. Duncan might say a few words, as one who was interested in the Wairarapa and the question generally. He had frequently been in the Wairarapa and had heard the matter discussed, and lie had advised the people there to communicate with Ministers direct, feeling sure that their interests would meet with due oqnsidwation. A large number of people had settled at Greytown, and the traffic to and from that place was very extensive. If the railway were carried by the Kochfort line, It would not he used by the largo majority of the Greytown and Masterton people and the settlers

on the plains,'and the effect in retarding settlement would be very serious. Mr. GILLIGAN fully concurred in the views expressed by the previous He was in favor of carrying the line by the side of the present road. Mr. Perry also concurred, and suggested that some of the roads laid off, but not used at present, might be utilised, at any rate from the Waiohine to the Waingawa. fHe explained the positions occupied by these roads on a map). The Hon. Mr. Ormond said: The position of this matter, so far as the Government aro coneerned, is this: when first I came into office I began to inquire into, the position this line, and what was to be done with it. I found that a promise had been made by my predecessors that by the time it was expected the line would be completed to Featherston, the Government would endeavor to be in a position to push on the line to the valley towards Masterton, the survey having been undertaken with that object. There was also a promise made that the Engineer-in-Chief should visit the district, and report to the Government as to the best route to be adopted. That was the position of the matter as left by Mr. Kichardson. Mr. Carruthers, the Engi-neer-in-Chief, accompanied by Mr. Blackett, Assistant-Engineer, and Mr. Knorpp visited the district, returning about a fortnight ago, and he has since reported to the Government. It must not be supposed therefore that the positiou of the Wairarapa was that of an unknown district. Those gentlemen were acquainted with the value and diffe ent features of the country through which the line must go. Of course it will be more or less an engineer's report, and the Government fully recognise that there are other cousideraI tions which ought to he taken into account. I I may remark, however, that it must always 1 be remembered that this is to be part of a main trunk line through the North Island. There i« one point necessarily fixed beyond alteration—the crossing of the Buamahunga River, that being the only point at which a crossing was practicable. There is no option, therefore, as to taking the railway by that course. The engineers report that Kochfort’s Hue is the best; as it is almost a straight course, it crosses the Tauherenikau, Waiohiue, and Waingawa rivers iu the best places, especially the Waiohine ; and they positively advise the Government that to take the line below that point on the Waiohine River would he to encounter great and permanent difficulties, arising from the liability of the ground to he flooded and the line destroyed. That is a positive argument, of which I am sure the deputation will appreciate the weight. The engineers state that where they propose to cross the Waiohine there is no danger of overflow, owing to the height of the ground ; but everywhere below that point there is a risk of overflow for the space of about two miles. The Government have had the report carefully under consideration, and I am hound to tell the deputation that so far as the matter has gone, the Government are compelled to recognise the fact that the threatened difficulty will be not merely an engineering one, but a permanent difficulty. But I would say this with regard to the work in question : that the settlers shall have every examination made into the matter that they desire before we determine which line we shall take. The engineers were instructed to keep in view the interests of the settlers, and they reported that a line was practicable following the Rochfort line to a point about half a mile beyond the Waiohine River, then deviating eastward so as to pass close by Carterton and Masterton, and thence proceeding to the Kuamahunga at the point already mentioned. This would involve an additional expense of about £6OOO, without including the extra cost of the land required. The Government is strongly of opinion that this latter line will have to be adopted. The question has been carefully considered in Cabinet, and I am authorised to say that the (Government feel bound to regard the report of the engineers, who pronounced the other line impracticable as involving enormous cost. Now, as to the probable time of bringing the line into the Wairarapa Valley, that will depend mainly on whether it be f«und practicable to get a locomotive over the Rimntaka to assist in the formation of the line on the plain. As you are aware, there are six tunnels all nearly completed, but at present they are insecure, and will be until they are lined That difficulty has not been foreseen.; The rock was so hard to bore that it was thought it would stand without lining, but it was found that when the air was admitted the rock rapidly crumbled. This will cause serious delay. Bricks cannot be made on the Rimutaka, and will have to be taken up. Thus the lining of each tunnel must be finished before the bricks can be taken through the line to the next one. We have had under consideration the feasibility of carrying over the Rimutaka, on the Wairarapa side, sufficient rails to go up the line to reach the tunnels from the Wairarapa side ; but there is the difficulty of getting the material there, unless we have a powerful locomotive which would weigh about 35 tons. If it could be got over the Rimutaka, a saving of five months’ time could be effected. It remains a question at present, however, whether the road will stand the weight of the engine. But if this cannot be done, there is very little hope of completing the line to Featherston within eighteen months. That being so, and taking into consideration the promise made by the former Government that the line should if : possible be earned on to Masterton as soon as it reached Featherston, we propose, as soon as we can get this settled about the route, to have the surveys completed and to call for tenders for carrying on the line. The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse expressed gratification at hearing that the Government had decided to abandon the Rochfort line for a line so much more to the eastward, and was glad to hear that the Government proposed to consult the convenience of the Wairarapa settlers if it could be done consistently with the engineering difficulties that might present themselves.

The Hon. Mr. Obmond stated that the line to the Pakuratahi would be completed in about five months—intelligence at which the deputation expressed satisfaction. The deputation then thanked Mr. Ormond and withdrew.