CARLYLE RAILWAY

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 506, 7 April 1880, Page 2

CARLYLE RAILWAY

OFFICIAL INSPECTION OF PROPOSED ROUTES. Mr Olliver, Minister of Public Works, and Mr Blackett, Engineer-in-Ohief, visited this town on Monday, and inspected the two proposed routes for a branch railway to Patea harbor. They also inspected the harbor works at the Heads.

Mr Olliver and Mr Blackett, accompanied by Mr Stewart, engineer, and Mr Hunter, assistant engineer, arrived at Carlyle on Sunday evening, having travelled by express train and coach from Wanganui, where they had been making an official survey on Saturday of the harbor improvements. On Monday morning they were met at the Albion hotel by Mr Sherwood, chairman of the Harbor Board, and Mr Milroy, chairman of the Town Board (Mr Dale being unable to be present as chairman of the County Council, bis recent accident confining him indoors). Those representatives of public bodies had been also appointed by a public meeting as a deputation to wait on Mr Olliver and Mr Blackett. No other persons, so far as we know, had any representative authority to interview those Government officials on behalf of the Carlyle public or of any corporate body ; but it was quite competent for individuals to take such action as the opportunity afforded for presenting to Mr Olliver and Mr Blackett any opinions or facts calculated xo assist in a proper appreciation of local interests in their relation to the proposed

railway. The party of inspection started for the river soon after nine o’clock, comprising the two Government representatives, their official stall', the two chairmen of local bodies, and Mr Thomson, engineer to the Harbor Board. They inspected the river bank on the Carlyle side between the bridge and the wharf, to ascertain its' suitability for railway wharfage and terminus ; also the relative advantages of this and the lather side for discharging vessels, for conveying goods to and from the town, and for passenger traffic, were talked over in a conversational manner. Mr Olliver ami Mr Blackett exhibited a clear appreciation of arguments tor or against a particular plan; and while putting various questions to ascertain local facts, they carefully abstained from indicating any preconceived opinion as to the best site or the best route for the branch railway. They appeared to survey the ground and sift facts and arguments like men of business acting in the impartial spirit of umpires. Having looked at the foreshore for a. torrninns on either side of +■•>« ' ivo ’> ,iml formed opinions as to water frontage, gradients for roads, prevailing winds, traffic over the bridge, room for station, sheds, wharves, sidings, &c., the party then started in a small boat to inspect the navigation works at the Heads. They returned in the boat and were rowed slowly up the river half a mile above the bridge, to a point where the river would be crossed by a railway if the line followed the first official plan. Conversation ensued as to any necessity for carrying a line across the river, anil as to a counter scheme for continuing the line along the town bank of the river to a terminus at the present bridge. It was pointed out that the cliff which presents a bar to the level course of a railway on this side, could be skirted at very small expense as compared with a new bridge across the river;, that the cliff is only some three chains long, and would be easily cut, or could be skirted with piles if more desirable, this being a permanent work when once done, whereas a wooden bridge must entail frequent repair; and the level course for a lino on the town shore, from that point

to the present bridge, was shown to offer an easy, cheap, and convenient route in comparison with the farther side. One other important consideration was pointed out with due emphasis, namely, that on the town side the land is all the property of public bodies in the (own, and would be given free of cost, while any increased value resulting to this public land from a railway running over it would be a benefit not to individual owners, there

being none on this side, but to the public as a whole. The cost of a new bridge, it was shown, would be very large, as the experimental sinking for a hard bottom had been carried down about 87 feet before blue clay was struck.' The party returned to the wharf, and were met on the bridge by several local gentlemen, including Captain Wray, R.M., Mr Cowern, Mr Adams, and Mr Tennent. Captain Wray invited Mr Olliver and Mr Blackett to cross the bridge and inspect the farther side known as the Swamp, in order to see the facilities for a station terminus and wharves with deep-water frontage. Mr Olliver replied that he had looked carefully at both shores, and fully understood the relative advantages of the two sides for the proposed terminus. A conversation ensued, in which Mr Olliver remarked that he could not overlook the fact that every shilling added to the value of the harbor reserves by railway works would be so much additional contribution. towards farther improving the

river as a port. This remark appeared to have reference to the relative desirableness for a Government to enhance the value of the Swamp frontage by public works expenditure, or to increase the value of town-side reserves which belong

to public bodies. Mr Olliver said to these gentlemen, in closing the interview, that his decision as to which side the railway should take would not be arrived at till he returned to Wellington a fort-

night lienee, when he would have an opportunity for calmly digesting the whole facts.

Mr Olliver, Mr Blackett, and party returned to the Albion Hotel about noon, having completed their inspection of local works and formed their opinion of local wants. A formal deputation representing the recent public meeting was then received by Mr Olliver and Mr Blackett in a room at the hotel. The three chairmen of public bodies hail been deputed to represent local public opinion, and this was done by Mr Sherwood and Mr Milroy, the other chairman (Mr Dale) being not yet able to attend to public business.

Mr Sherwood said—We wish now, Mr Olliver, to speak to you as members of a deputation appointed by a recent meeting called by public placard in this town, and very well attended. That meeting was called together in consequence of a communication 1 had ’received from Major Atkinson stating that you intended to visit Carlyle. If there are two sides to this question, the other side had an anxple opportunity of being represented at that meeting, but I may tell you there were about, JOO persons present, and a resolution appointing this deputation to wait on yourself and on Mr Blackett was opposed by only four votes. That will explain our status as a deputation representing public opinio a. An additional resolution was passed at that meeting urging on the Government the absolute necessity of pushing on the main line through this district to connect it with Carlyle, be-

cause it was felt that a solution of the Maori difficulty could be attained most speedily and effectually by carrying a railway through the district to promote traffic and commerce. It was felt also that in such a district as this the good land along the railway route would soon pay I’m* the construction of the line, so ihat the Government would be recouped for their outlay ; and that as the land required for the lino to Carlyle is still owned by Government, the otiier land to be disposed of would more than compensate for the expenditure on railway works for this town.

Mr Olliver —Yon need not say another word on that part of the subject. We are as anxious that the two ends of this through railway should be brought to meet as yon can be. The Government do not need any urging on that matter. No time will he lost—not a day, so far as we arc concerned. Wo are as Inlly convinced of tiro importance of connecting the two detached pieces of line as the inhabitants of this district can he; and I think onr action recently has proved that onr opinions and inclinations arc in the same direction as you have stated, and that we iici!v;v« ti.o Maori difficulty depends on public works. I think, therefore, yoa need not enter farther on that subject. Mr Milroy—As another member of the deputation, 1 need not add anything to what Mr Sherwood has said. Mr Sherwood —tn conclusion, I wish

to thank yon, on behalf of the public, tor your visit to this place. We are very glad to see yon here, and we only wish the members of the Ministry would find it convenient and agreeable to visit Patea oftener. We know it is easier travelling in other districts, and it needs an effort to come into a district not so far advanced as we could wish in facilities for rapid travelling. Mr Blackett also is a very wlcome visitor here, and rva hope to see him again. I wish also, as Chairman of the Harbor Board, to thank you for going to the Heads to-day to inspect the progress of the navigation works. Yon have been able to see what the Heads are like, and at some future time you will- be in a position to express an official opinion as to the prospects of making Patea a port of some importance.

Mr Oliver—l have been very much pleased with my visit to Patea. I have been most favorably impressed with the character of the country, which I think to be not at all over-rated or over-esti-mated. When one hears of the richness of the Patea district, one must prepare to find something very good ; but I may say that my expectations have been more than fulfilled. It has indeed been a great pleasure to visit the works at the Heads, for improving the navigation of the river and making Carlyle a port; and' I am fully convinced you will succeed in making it a port, and a very important port indeed. The richness of the land, and the enlarged area to be supplied«from Carlyle as a commercial depot, owing to the change which I hope is about to be accomplished by the settlement of the Maori difficulty; also the railway communication with other districts, and the importance which your improved river will give to this town, ought to give the Patea district an impetus which will surprise even the inhabitants of it. I ha\je been very favorably impressed by this district, and 1 sincerely hope that all the expectations of this deputation, and the people you represent, will be fulfilled. Mr Sherwood —That is the one point I wish to impress upon you. We are a deputation appointed at a public meeting duly convened, and we were appointed by a vote taken among a hundred people, with only four bands held up for the other side. Mr Olliver—With regard to the other side of the question as to site for wharves and railway terminus, I shall give every

consideration to all the arguments which have been used on both sides; and after very carefully weighing the facts, I shall decide, I hope, in the interests of the public at large, and no private consideration will enter into the decision. Mr Sherwood —That is all we want.

Mr Milroy—Yes, that is so. The deputation then bade adieu to Mr Olliver and Mr Blackett with a hearty hand-shaking, and withdrew.