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Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 331, 16 May 1877, Page 2

As we anticipated, the Dunedinites |are not altogether pleased with the proposal to take the interior line of railway from Oamaru to the Kyeburn. The prospect of a large amount of inland trade being diverted from the metropolis to this town has roused some of the Dunedin papers into action. From a telegram which appears in another column, we learn that the Daily Times and the Evening Star have brought their united influence to bear in favour of the Strath-Taieri route. We do not blame them for having done so, for had they neglected to take the course they are now pursuing they would have failed in the performance of their duty to the people of Dunedin. While : saying this much, however, we must take exception to the arguments used by the Star, as recorded in our telegraphic columns. We venture to assert that the Strath-Taieri route would be found to I present obstacles in the way of construc- ' tion equally as great, if not greater, than would be the case were the railway line into the interior taken from the terminus of either of the branch lines already constructed from Oamaru to Ngapara or Duntroon. But setting aside all consideration of the nature of the country to be traversed, there are several very strong arguments in favour of the line supported by the people of Oamaru and iSaseby. One of these is presented in the fact that the length of railway to be constructed is far less than would be the case were either of the other proposed routes adopted.

As compared with the Strath-Taieri route, the line from the terminus of one of the Oamaru branch railways would be shorter by fully one-third, This in itself is a great advantage possessed by the people of Oamaru, and one that should weigh not a little ill* the consideration of the various routes. Then, again, another argument in favour of the Oamaru-Kye-burn line is, that the distance which produce would have to travel to reach a seaport town would be lessened to a considerable extent, and the advantage to the inland public must of necessity be very great. The cost of transit of produce would be far less, and this is a fact which cannot be set aside, for, in the construction of any line of railway, public convenience must be taken into consideration. With regard to the Star's statement that the Strath-Taieri route would be the means of opening up a large extent of agricultural land, we have only to say that the line from Oamaru would do so to a far greater extent. Taking all things into account, we think it can be clearly shown that the line from Oamaru offers advantages of no mean nature, alike in regard to the cost of construction, the extent of good agricultural country to be opened up, and genei'al benefits to the inland settlers. With reference to the other proposed route from Palmerston, little or nothing may be said. The persistent obstinacy with which the people of that place have opposed the idea of taking the line by that route puts it almost out of all consideration, notwithstanding that a sickly wail in favour of the Palmerston route has been uttered by the local organ. If the people of Oamaru are only true to themselves they have little to fear. Let them, at the meeting to be held at the Volunteer Hall this evening, set boldly and earnestly to work, and, backed up as they are by the residents of Naseby, they may rest assured that success will attend their efforts.