WEST COAST RAILWAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2436, 8 January 1881, Page 3

WEST COAST RAILWAY.

A crowded meeting took place last night in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Christchurch, to hear the report of Messrs Thornton and Browne on the proposed West Coast Railway. The Mayor of Christchurch presided. Mr Wicks, ex-Mayor of Greymouth, who introduced himself as a pioneer on the West Coast, spoke strongly in favor of the proposed line. In the course of his remarks he said the time was come for the Canterbury people to take action, for Dunedin was rapidly interfering with Christchurch and Timaru, and would soon interfere with Lyttelton. Mr Bain read an elaborate report from Mrs Thornton and Browne in which the route proposed for the line, and the resources of the country traversed were Jminutely described. The line was described as commencing at the Hurunui River crossing the Amuri plains, through the Ferry country- along the south side of the Waiau, across the Hope River thence along the west bank of the Waiau, through Ada Valley to Cannibal Gorge and thence along the Maruia plains to Reeftou. The line fromßeefton to the Arnold River would go through a country ■where no engineering difficulties would arise, being generally flat and open. The Grey. Ahaura, Helson Creek, and Arnold rivers would have to be crossed, besides numerous small creeks the total distance from Reefton to Arnold being about 40 miles. Speaking of the resources of the country along the line of route, it was mentioned that the West Coast had produced £15,0>'0,000 worth of gold. Reefton was represented as teeming with coal and auriferous quartz. “In this wonderful district when a payable quartz reef is found, the next thing that is done is to run a tunnel into a hill adjacent, and get coal for the crushing machinery. Whilst in Murray- Creek, near Reefton, we witnessed the extraordinary instance in gold digging of a gold-bearing stratum of wash dirt on a coal bottom. Antimony exists in large quantities in the quartz veins. The difficulty of making it an article of commerce could be easily got over by smelting, where superior fire-clay-, and coal can be found everywhere in large quantities.”

The report goes on to say : —“ Specimens of gelana, containing large quantities of silver, were given to us, having been just found in the district. That marble and granite exist is also a certainty ; cinnabar we have not been able to see, but were informed on good authority that several specimens bad been brought to Reefton. It must be rememberd that the population of this district is small in comparison to its great extent, that difliculties unknown to all except those who have had to contend with them crop up on every side in the way of exploration. First there is a dense forest and ragged nature of the country- without roads ; secondly-, the extremely- wet climate, and the almost constant floods in the rivers ; and thirdly-, the want of cheap labor, provisoes, and machinery-. We can confidently- say- that the mineral wealtli of the Inangahua district alone, properly developed, would in a few years clear the debt of the colony.”

Mr John Ollivier moved—“ That this meeting, realising the benefit that must result to the Colony at large from the construction of the railway-to the West Coast, accords its thanks to Mr Wickes for his unceasing efforts to secure it, and expresses it appreciation of the skill, energy and perseverance displayed by Messrs Thornton and Browne in discovering the comparatively easyroute that is referred to in the report just read.” (Applause). Mr Pavitt seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation.

The following resolution was moved by- Mr Weston, seconded by Mr Lloyd, and carried—“ That this meeting respectfully urges upon Ids Excellency’s Government the advisability of promptlyassisting any company- that may- bo formed to construct the line, by setting aside and granting blocks of land for the purpose, and by contributing towards the cost of surveys, and by- supporting, as far as possible, any railway- Bill that may- be introduced by- the promoters at the next session of Parliament.”

It was further resolved that copies of the resolution should be forwarded to the Government.