TASMANIA.

Southland Times, Issue 1065, 30 November 1868, Page 3

TASMANIA.

♦ By the arrival of the Jane, brig, at Bluff Harbor, we are placed in possession of late Tasmanian papers, through the courtesy of Captain Fox. The following items of news are extracted from the ' Hobart Town Mercury ' : — The .Railway. —Mr Major, one of the contractors for the survey of the Main Line Eailway, has just completed an inspection of the proposed routes, and his report is in every respect satisfactory. He finds that from the Deloraine line to the Halt- way House there are no engineering difficulties whatever to contend against, and along the southern portion of the proposed line they are much less formidable than many anticipated. The valley of the Jordon has been examined, but Mr Major finds it too diflicult a route for the proposed railway, and prefers to come through 3Torke Plains and the Eastern Marshes, where the difficulties are bomparativly few. He believes that the worst gradient along this route would not exceed 1 in 50, and this be hopes to be able to reduce to 1 in 60. He believes that he could utilise the Bridgewater Causeway, but this may not be essential. Mr Major says he would find no difficulty in bringing the railway either to Austin's Eerry or to Bridgwater but it is a question for future decision as to the point to be recommended. It is gratifying to know npon engineering authority that the difficulties in the way of constructing the Main Line Eailway are so much less formidable than they were originally represented to be, and, we trust, when the report of Doyne, Major, and Willett is laid before Parliament, that every thing will be in training for its practicil accomplish meut. The Salmon. — The present season is one when salmon are very likely to be seen in the Derwent, and travellers along the course of the river would do well to keep a sharp look out for them. When our special reporter visited the ponds in March last the late Mr Eamsbottom expressed his opinion that the salmon which were seen in the river during the season of 1867 would be again due during October or the present month, when they would have attained their full size. We may therefore expect to hear something of them before long. A prospecting party, under the direction of the Government Geologist, Mr Charles Gould, traversed a considerable portion of Western Tasmania in search of gold, but without success. No indications of the precious metal had been discovered. The country is spoken of in the highest terms. A new Land Law has come into operation containing very liberal clauses, It is hoped that immigration will be resumed in consequence.

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