THE WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1029, 7 August 1879, Page 2

THE WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Wellington, August 6. The Engineer-in-Charge of Middle Island has made an elaborate report on the proposed railway in the northern districts of the Middle Is}apd of all the routes for East and West Coast lines. He most approves of that by Arthur's Pass, but he sums up his report as follows :—" In conclusion, I beg to make the following recommendations : 1. That, beyond the completion of the GreymouthHokitika Railway and a section from Brunnerton to Nelson Creek, no railway works be undertaken on the West Coast for the present. 2. That the idea of the East and West Coast Railway 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 adapted for large colliers as required. 3. That, beyond completing the line through the Weka Pass to the Waikari Yalley, no part of the main trunk line be undertaken for the present. 4. That, in lieu of railways, the main trunk roads be made or completed from Blenheim to Amberley, Tophouse to Langmuir Plains, Hampden to Ahaura, via the Marnia Plains, and along such leading valleys in Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland as may be necessary for ppening up the country. 5. That surveys be made of the main trunk liije fron* Amberley to Picton, and that the survey now in hand of the line Nelson to. the Bvjll§r be finished,