THROUGH TRAFFIC.

Patea Mail, 18 September 1880, Page 2

THROUGH TRAFFIC.

The Rimutaka disaster has called attention to the unsuitableness of this mountain railway for the general traffic of a main line. There is not only the danger from gusts of wind on that high mountain crest, but a still worse disaster than the blowing over a train would result from a runaway train going down the incline at a fearful rate, and smashing into another train meeting it on the single line of rails. In such a wreck as that, nothing could live. Both trains would be telescoped into a shivered wreck. The Fell engine by which this mountain barrier is crossed is only like other machinery, liable to get out of gear ; and as breakages-occur when the greatest strain is on a machine, this Fell engine would “ give out” just when the risk was greatest. A second disaster on that line might lead to its abandonment, the risk to life being greater than any benefit to trade. The risk may be minimised by retaining the mountain cross-

ingas part of a local railway, but sending all main-line traffic by an easier, cheaper, quicker, and safer route. The question of a main-line by the coast from Wellington to Fox ton, piecing up the West Coast Railway right through to Waitara, will have to bo considered seriously by Parliament in the next session. The inevitable tendency is in this direction. The Wellington Post says the idea that the Rimutaka section can be used as a main line even to the East Coast is “ monstrous and insane in the extreme.” Vituperation is not force in argument. A temperate statement of facts would be more likely to command the attention of thinking men ; and we would prefer to sec the question discussed in moderate language.