THE WELLINGTON-WAIKANAE RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5390, 6 July 1878, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON-WAIKANAE RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. ' Sir,— The information recently given to the public in reference to a proposed line of railway to connect Wellington with Waikanae and the West Coast, was not very satisfactory to those who feel convinced that -sooner or later such a line must be made. It appeared that, though no less than four lines had been surveyed or inspected, none was recommended by tho engineers concerned in these preliminary surveys as likely to answer the required purpose. The only possible lines discovered seemed to be bad, and would require a large expenditure of money to carry a railway over any of them. I am surprised that no mention has hitherto (so far as I know) been made of a line which I believe to be quite practicable. Though not an engineer, I will venture to offer a suggestion. Assuming, then, that a line can be made somewhere from Wellington to the Halfway House, beyond Johnsonville, a line might thence be taken to the Ferry, Porirua, and then on the south-west side of the harbor to Richards’ station, and across the harbor to Paremata, where the old barrack once stood. Thence it might be taken round the cqast to Pukerna, and under the Paripari hill to Paikakariki. From this last place it is known that no farther difficulty exists.

From the ferry to Paremata is about three miles ; from that place to Pukerua six miles, ansi thence to Paikakaiiki three miles. Twelve or thirteep miles would I think be the extreme distance. This line would be absolutely level the whole way. The only difficulty, it it were one, would be a bridge across the, harbor at Paremata. No doubt four or five miles of the coast is rough, but X do not recollect that there is anything which _ an engineer would deem an obstacle or serious difficulty. ‘ • Will you be so good as to allow this suggestion to appear in your columns ?—I am, &c., W.

July 5. P.S.—I think it not improbable that an easy line might be found inland from Pare'mata to Fukerna. The old path used by Maoris was over some elevated laud, but then they always gave the preference to such routes. ' '