WAVERLEY CONTRACT.

Patea Mail, 26 July 1881, Page 3

WAVERLEY CONTRACT.

We have reason to believe that the Waverley-to-Patea railway is scheduled for construction immediately. . If the Government are not defeated on the “ no, confidence” debate, the Public Works Statement will be brought before the Honse as the next important business, in lieu of attempting to pass bills that might be opposed for party reasons. This Statement, will show, we believe, that the Waverley link is to be given out for contract, and that the line will be completed and opened to Manutahi. The survey of the new inland route, which is not the inland route first recommended, though some persons suppose it is, will be completed and plans forwarded within a few days ; and after the surveyors’ report is received in Wellington, the Government will leave their engineers to determine the best route under the circumstances. Messrs Rawsou and Ross are expected to complete the survey this week. STEAM TRAMWAYS. In the event of the Coast route being found preferable, the Whenuakura back f settlers might look for compensation in the shape of a steam tramway, running from Patea back to the Momahaki, and connecting with the Coast railway. A change is coming over the railway policy of the colony. The era of trunk lines is almost past, for there cannot be much more expenditure on main railways until is able to bear another loan. But a new era is opening by the formation of companies to construct steam tramways to interior settlements, connecting these with Coast railways, and so opening the back country by bringing produce to seaports. Such lines can be formed and worked cheaply, aud land which is now remote from the Coast can be enhanced in value by cheap and quick connection with ports. Tramways are a lighter form of railway, requiring much less cost to work by dispensing with station officials and costly buildings. They are also more useful to settlers in a new district, because, goods can be picked up or set down at any point, without being tied to certain stopping places. Passengers would be* able to get on or off not only at flag statious but at any point where the engine stopped to pick up or set down goods. The train would carry its own working staff, and the weekly expenditure would be small, on the scale of {i steam omnibus. It is probable that Government will .offer liberal encouragement to the construction of steam tramways, and of course the trucks could go with produce to any station or port on the main line. The Whenuakura block offers favorable conditions for a steam tramway, to be promoted by a local company ; and there is also an immense area of land behind ft ( that block available for settlement, into which the tramway could be extended. MOMAHAKI SALES. It is'understood that the Minister of Lands will open the back portion of the Momahaki block with two main roads as soon as the vote of £ISOO now on the estimates for that purpose is passed by the Assembly. Perhaps that vote may now be increased. The sections already surveyed will then be offered for sale. NEW SURVEYS. The Minister of Lands has consented, we are informed, to have the University Reserve of 10,000 acres surveyed into sections of 200 to 300 acres, according to its suitability for settlement. The Kaharoa native track to the interior, beyond the University reserve, is also to be prospected, but no definite promise is made as to the time for that work. Its ’importance is officially recognised. It 1 JEupfe for the local public to see that an enterprise so important to the district is not allowed to sleep. The Otoia block is to be surveyed for settlement at the back, as soon as surveyors can be taken from other work. That may be some time hence, as the Government will not increase the present staff of surveyors, nor will they let such work by contract. The answer on that point appears definite. Whakamara block is also to be opened at tbe back for settlement.