East and West Coast Railway. Mr Blair's Report.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 10 July 1886, Page 5

East and West Coast Railway. Mr Blairs Report.

The following are extracts from Mr Blairs report on the Springfield - Brunnerton section :—": — " In my report of 1876 I pointed out the difficulties of construction and excessive cost of maintenance on this railway, particularly at crossing the main range. Detailed surveys since made show the difficulties of construction to be considerably less than was anticipated, not so much in cost as in the superiority of the line obtainable. It waß then supposed that a fairly workable locomotive railway could not be got at anything like a- reasonable cost, and the estimates were based on gradients of 1 in 7, with stationary engines, or 1 in 15, with central rails, as at Rimutaka. The best locomotive gradients calculated on were l in 33, and even this was not supposed to be obtainable at Arthur's Pass. The ruling gradient on the latest surveys is 1 in 50, with 7£ chain curves, which is the 'came as on the Middle Island Main Line, Comparing this with other railways throughout the colony, we have : Auckland gradients, 1 in 40 ; curves, 12 chains. Napier - Woodville, 1 in 45 ; curves, 7. Wanganui-New Plymouth, 1 in 35 ; curves, 5 chains ; Wellington to Kimutaka summit, 1 in 35 ; curves, 5. Some of the locomotives already in the colony will pull 100 ton 9, a paying load, up the Arthur's Pass incline as it is now laid out. A Six Tunnel. Although small when comparedwith some of the Alpine tunnels that have been constructed in Europe within the last few years, Arthur's Pass tunnel is a heavy piece of engineering for a nearly new country. It is of great length, 3£ miles, inclines all in one direction, and large quantities of water are likely to be met with, a combination of circumstances that can only be met by liberal expenditure. Beyond this, however, the difficulties are not serious. There has of late iyears been a great improvement in the art of tunnelling, and the streams in the vicinity afford ample water-power for the machinery ; so, considering its magnitude, I have no doubt the work could be done in a reasonable time and at a reasonable coat. Four miles and a-half of the St. Gotbard tunnel were pierced .by machinery at the rate of one mile and a third per annum. With reference to maintenance in the Waimakariri Gorge, it will always be very heavy, for the line in many places cuts into loose sidling ground, that plopes a long way up the ranges. The best remedy for this evil is tunnelling, which should be resetted to if slips become excessive. I have no doubt there will be

Considerable Trouble With Slips, In Otlr* dtfrin^. construction, and for some time thereafter j. but. I, do not think it will be thecapse of heavy expenditure permanently, for on the- West. Coast, where there is bo much, ram, the steepest slopes qpickly get covered with vegetation. The Nelson section, from Brunnerton to the iDaneahua landing,. U a distance of 53 miles. The country is remarkably favourable for,rail* way construction. With exception of the river bridge?, and a small tunnel at Inaoga* hua above referred to, the works-are exceptionally light. Prom the landing to Junkers, ID-miles, the ground is more broken, still there is no serious cliffi T culty, but from Junkers to Maruia, a distance cf, 15 milee,. the works are, exceptionally heavy. The Buller runs all the way in a, narrow gorge, and the railway must be scarped out of tolid r^ck, carried in tunnels through spure, or supported by retaining walls, as best suits the eonfigura tion of the ground. This portion of. the railway closely resembles the Taieri Gorge, on the Otago Central, or the Manawatu, on Wood.ville. The moat importapt work, on the Palmerston line is a tunnel 33,uhains long through a spur opposite Lyell, from Manuia right to the summit neat Tophouse, 47 miles. There are no difficulties to contend with, and 30 miles of the distance is. very easy. Although this railway, rises to within 150 ft. of the'bigheet altitude on the East and West Coast line, there is no tunnel at the summit. The ground does not admit of it, being more of tableland than saddle. The last section,, that from Tfophouae to Belerove, also Contains Very Heavy "VSTorks. Although the country Is open and slopes easy, thrreare a number of ridges and sharp curves to cross at right angles, which make grading difficult. The heaviest work of any kind is a tunnel 43 chains long at the head of Blue Glen, and there are three viaduct» from 80 feet to 110 feet high, and 18,ch,ain& total length. I am nearly of opinion that the main strength of the West Coast lies in its coalfields, and that directly and iudirectly this is a source whence railway traffic will chiefly cotne. Direct traffic in coal will, however* be very email when compared with the indirect traffic that must ultimately accrue from the development of the coal industries. The railway will, nx> doubt, carry all the coal consumed in Canterbury, and possibly supply steamers at Lyttelton. The coal will go direct from the mine into the trucks, and thence to consumers, thereby saving two handlings, This secures the whole of the Canterbury traffic to the railway, but that is all. Coal cannot be carried by rail to large centres further south, nor exported by way of Lyttelton There i?, however, no auch limit to the possibilities of the indirect traffic ; and, anomalous though it may appear, this traffic is augmented by the construction of the harbours. Hitherto we have aU looked oa West Coast harbours as antagonistic to the East and West Coast Railway. I believe this view is not correct; that they are really complements of each other. Witn~ out harbours, the coalfields will never be properly developed, and the development of our coal industries is necessary for the success of the railways. On the other side the railway is a factor in developing the mines. With a large population on the West Coast, mining coal and carrying on an extensive export trade, it is immaterial to the railway whether all that coal is carried or not. The general traffic, which pays better, would increase in. proportion to the population. To sum up the traffic prospects of the East and West Coast Railway, the Royal Commission in. 1883 estimated the receipts at £120,000, Since then there has been a substantial increase in the population of the West Coast; through the growth of coal mining alone. That industry is capable of great expansion, and so also is the timber trade, which carry with them the increase of settlement generally I think, therefore, it would be fair ta calculate the railway revenue to the colony would be increased by fully £12,000 by the construction of the East and West Coasts Railway. Under ordinary circumstances % revenue of £120,000 would leave £40,000 clear profit. This is equal to nearly 2f pec cent, on the cost of the" line. The railway authorities say that in this case There is Nothing Left for Profit. As I have had no practical experience in the working of the railways, I will note venture an opinion on the subject, but will leave the matter at this point, and simply indicate the way in which I think traffic will develop. i

Parasitic Diseases of Sheep. Professor Thomas has prepared an interim report on parasitic diseases in sheen in the Tauranga and Hawke's Bay districts* The different kinds of internal parasites: that have been found in sheep were examined. In one case one lamb contained! eight distinct species of worm. Lung worms were found in rather mere than one half the sheep examined, and there wera generally three or four or more different forma of parasites in the intestines of tha same sheep. Land Grants for Otago and Auckland, Railways. Mr Pyke? bill to secure construction of the Otago Central line by a syndicate ia assured of a substantial majority. Besides the support of the Canterbury members it will have the countenance of that section of the Auckland members who are not pledged! to oppose the principle of land grant*: towards railway construction. There ia not the slightest doubt that the North Auckland Kail way might also be constructed: on the same principle. Otago and Canterbury members alike express their willingnesa to support a bill giving to Auckland people the concessions they themselves seek. Mr Vaile's Railway Scheme. The railway inquiry now in progress has directed a great deal of attention here to the scheme propounded by Mr Samuel Vaile. The " Time3 " yesterday contains ft leading article on the subject, from which. I make the following extract :—" Whether people agree with Mr Vaile, or whether, they differ frem him altogether as to hia views on railway reform, nobody can fail ta respect the zeal, courage, and aelf-sacrifice. with which he has entered upon his crusade,, and is resolutely fighting it out. Be he right or wrong, there can be no question, that he sincerely believes bis scheme to bo one that, if adopted, would confer vast # benefit upon the public, and he is carrying on his earnest propagandism entirely at his own cost. There are not many reformers of whom that can be said. Usually, care of the first person singular is the chief rule in their grammar. "Number one" is the magic figure that forms Ihe key to their whole arithmetic. Whatever happens, they take good care that they do not lose, but fife Vaile is a reformer of quite a different kind. He conducts his self-imposed mission of railway reform at his own expense, and at a still greater personal sacrifice in point of time and trouble. The least consideration, therefore, to which he is entitled is ta a patient and respectful hearing. Hitherto, he has scarcely received this in all cases. Possibly he may not be wholly free from blame in the matter. Reformers are proverbially addicted to the use of strong language. Indeed, i£ they did not adopt come such mode of orcibly claiming attention very often tb,ey

would be allowed to preach unheard, but this may be dismissed from notice. Mr Vaile has come to Wellington to pload in parson before a Committee of Parliament the cause that he has co much at heart, and be has offered to explain his views publicly if invited to do so. We hopo that the invitation will be given." Wellington, «)uly G. Counties Act. The Houso met at 7.30 last night, when the Counties Bill was the piece do resistance. Doting the discussion Mes*xs Wakefield and Dargaville directed pome severe raps at One another. Eventually the :nembor for Auckland West charged Mr Waktfield with aiot being sinceie in his action respecting the motion under discussion, uheieupon he Was promptly called on to withdraw the 3femark by the Chairman. Mr Dargaville bowed to the ruling with a "\ cry bad grace. ■Hecomp^ainedthatverynicadistinction were Ibeing madeof terms as used by hon members. Hud proceeded to charge Mr Wakofiekl Krith prevarication. This called forth an xrotntstakablo reproof from Mr Haralin, said the hon. gentleman was exceeding the ordinary bounds allowed to members, and "I do trust the word provarication will be withdrawn. I have on one or two occasions had to request members not to Indulge in personalities, and also not to use language calculated to give offence. We are here for nothing of the kiad but. to discharge oui* duty in a most ample and complete fashion, to express ourselves strongly, firmly, and positively without in any way offending hon. members." Mr Daigaville then scored a laugh at Mr Wakefield's expense, by remarking that on reflection ho was quite sme he was in error in attiibuting either insincerity or prevarication to the hon. member for Selwyn. The Counties Act, which is a cousclidating measure, was advanced through it? principal clauses. The chief addition to the law was the creation of the following "now counties, made on the motion of Sir R. Stout : — Hobson County, Rotorua County, Otamatea County, and that the names of Wairarapa Uast County and Wairarapa West County be changed into Wairarapa 2»lbrth and Wairarapa South County. Clause 275, which provides that county councils may contribute funds for the erec "tion and maintenance of school buildings, was strongly opposed by Messrs Bolleston, Prince, Newman, Fisher and others, and was alone championed by the Premier. Eventually the clause was struck out on the voices, as was the following one, which gives similar powers to Road and Town Boards. Meeting of the Opposition. An informal meeting of Opposition members was held yesterday, when a vigilance Committee, consisting of Messrs Mitchelson, G;F. Richardson, Hir3t,and Wilson, was appointed to watch the course of event? and arrange a prog-atutue of operations. Major Atkinson has of late been taken from his "work owing to the severe illness of his "wife, and Mr Bryce has been in ill health, consequently the Opposition has become gieatly demoralised. It was therefore felt necessary to concentrate their forces, aud the meeting was held more for this purpose than with any hope of ousting the Government, whose measures ie was determined to most closely scrutinise, and if necessary, oppose. The middle party, consisting of Mesar? Montgomery, Barron, Scobie Mackenzie, Pyke, and Hislop abstained from attending the meeting. Auckland Harbour Loan Bill. Hen. Mr Tole appeared before the Local Bills Committee in explanation and support of the Auckland Harbour Loan Bill. The Committee resolved to report to the House that the bill be allowed to proceed with the third schedule, altered as indicated by the the Engineer-in. Chief. This merely relates to some slight error in de-cription. The till will be set down for Thursday, when Mr Tole will move the second reading. New Counties in Auckland District. A new clause in the Counties Bill, r*ow before the House, was paseed last night, making Whangaroa Riding a new county, also a new county called the Otamatea County, and a new county called Rotorua. There was considerable opposition from some members, who wanted new. counties for their districts. Sir Robert Stout introduced thesa amendments, and Messrs Bobbs. Moat, and Grace supported them, each stating that there wa3 no opposition to the propo=al, but an earnest desire for it on the part of those interested. After a warm discussion and considerable opposition from &ome Southern members out of pure mischief, the new clause was carried by 40 to 30 votes. Opposition to Native Lands Bill. Up to the present time 35 votes have been secured against the third reading of the Native Land Administration Bill, action for which is expected to come on tonight. The CD. Act. The Auckland petition in favour of the repeal ot the Contagious Diseases Act ha? been referred by the Petitions Committee to the government, the bill being now before the House. Otago and Auckland Railways. Mr Hobb3 moved, on going into Committee of Supply, "That in the opinion of the Houee North Auckland and Otago Central (Taieri Lake to Hawea) railways should bo constructed under the provisions, or on thti basis of the Railway Construction and Land Acta." Land Grant for North Auckland Railway. Mr'Hobbs's resolution in the direction of completing the North Island and Otago Central railway line 3 by means of a syndicate was the outcome of consultation between My Pyke and himself. Mr Pyke proposes to withdraw the bill, of which he 'gave notice some days ago, and I am given to understand that this course was neceseary owing to the refusal of the Government to give the concent required to the introduction of a bill dealing with Crown lands. This action is considered to be inconsistent with their stand relative to the BaBt and West Coast Railway. The Premier has promieed a definite answer on the point o-day. Mea a r8 Pyke and Hobbs desire to take the sense of the House on the question, and allow the whole subject to be agitated during tho recess. The Police ,Force. The Minister for Defence has informed the House that there are 483 police conr stables in tho colony, of whom 293 are married. Of thejatter number, 215 ars prodded with quarters, and the unprovided T8 are those recently taken into the "force. ■ -A comparison with the provision made in this respect by- the other colonies shows that.ib ew Zealand is more liberal in dealing With quarters for married constables than any other colony. t - " "'" Sir George Grey's Land Boards Bill. < yt The Waste Lands Cpmmittee'have recom- . attended that §ir, ( G^o.'Orey'a''Land^ Boards; V&HI be allowed to ' proceed wifti* ''certain' Amendments. Clause 5 now reads" that the Governor shall determine the number of members to constitute a Board, provision beingr made that it shall not be less than two nor more than five. Power is also given to the Governor to appoint members In case the full numbers are not nominated. '

Justices of tbe Peace. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Justices of the Peace Act have been agreed to by the House. In moving that tho Houso adopt the Lords' action striking out the clause which provided that Mayors, Chairmen of Road Boards and County Councils should bo justices ex qfflcio, the Minister of Jubtice said that he so moved with regret. Government Assurance Purchases. Tho inquiry into tho purchase of buildings by the Government Insurance Association is practically complete, but the Committee, afc the request of Mr Ormond, have been allowed an additional period of 8 days in w hich to bring forward their report Sir Georgo Grey and tho Premier. The Premier bus assutcd Sir George Grey that if fche Government business proceeds a8 rnpidly as it did last week ho believes tho Government may bo able to afford Sir Georgo some facilities for bringing on his Land for Settlement Bill for second reading at an early date. The personal difficulty between Sir George Grey and tho Premier does not appear to have been smoothed over yet. Sufferers by the Volcanic Eruption. The Government will place a moderate sum on tho Supplementary Estimates for relief of tho sufferers by the late volcanic disturbances, but this will be applied only to meet extreme cases. They do not intend to compensate all thoso injured, as they conceive that tho public will not hesitate when called on to materially assist those requiring relief. Native Lands Court Judges. Captain Kussell is anxious to get the Government to appoint a number of additional Native Lands Court judges, and instruct them to start at once to push through native land to European title as rapidly aa po j ?ible. fie considers this would have an imnoitant effect in settling the North Island. Agricultural Subjects for Schools. Mr Rolleston is to ask the Premier whether it is the intention of the Education Department to take any steps to provide for tho introduction into piimary schools of books containing lessons on subjects affecting agriculture, horticulture, and arboriculture. Also, whether his attention ha* been draw n to what is being done iv this direction in the colony of Victoria. Gold Duty Abolition. The Lords at the afternoon sitting yesterday threw out the Gold Duty Export Reduction Bill, by a majority of one, at which a number of the gold6elda members of the Lower House are greatly incensed. Nautical Survey of the Coast. I Mr Bruce intends to move at an early date, •' That in view of the recent volcanic disturbances, and having regard to the circumstance- that the nautical survey of the New Zealind coast was left uncompleted by the Admiralty, it is desirable that there should boa fresh fcmvey upon a more extended and minute scale. That such a Mirvey is expedient in its bearing upon science, and for increased safety to life and ! property, as well as upon the development, of the deep sea fisheries. That it would not be unreasonable to suggest that one or more of Her Majesty's ships should be employed on such survey. That the Government be requested to communicate with j the Imperial authorities thcreanent." Mrs Robertsons Petition. Sir George Grey has picsented a petition from iVJra ann Robertson, of Rotoiua, complaining of alleged wrongful acts, under which she ha 3 fau tiered, and asking for lelici. Native Lands Bill. Tho whole of the night sitting was occupied with a debate on the third reading of the Native Land Administration Bill. Mr Bryce said the bill in its general aspect was a good one, but he thought it would lead to a great and unnecessary amount of confusion in the administration of native lands. He ieferred to the cumbersome method of dealing with native lands which would be experienced by native committees provided for in the bill, and •iltogether disapproved of that system, lie pointed out that under the committee system, the sale of a b*ock of land might go on for twenty years, and during all that time the native committees would ba diaining the proceeds. . He thought one result of tho bill would be that the colony would be forced to return to the pre-emptive right which formerly existed. Mr Hobbrf also opposed the bill. He said a liige majority of the natives were against tho proposals contained in the bill, and inferaneer 1 the case of Te Wheoro and their influential chiefs, who had expressed themselves against it. The natives should be allowed to deal with their lands as they thought tit. If the Hou&e patsed thy meafure, it meant locking up the native lands, and ho appealed to members to vote on this question irrespective of party feeling. Mr Rolleston said ho felt reluctantly com pelled to oppose the bill, particularly the committee c!au?es. He thought tbe ex-ten-ion of the committee system would militate altogether against a return to the py?tem of pie emptive right, which he believed Mr Ballaoce "wished to return to by this bill. He firmly believed the time would come when that system would be again resumed, and his own conviction was very strong that they should now return to ifc. Hia opinion wai that the present system would utterly break down, and matters would be left, worse than they were before. Captain Russell said Mr Ballance, though a hard-working man, knew no more about land or native affairs than a blind man. He contended that this bill would delay the settlement of the North Island. The resumption of pre-emptive v right would be unjuet to the native people. He was prepared to show there was great injustice under the Lind Purchase Department. He deprecated the impression that was created against those members who took, an interest in tho native question that they were either landsharks or monopolists. The immediate effect of this. bill would be to cause a drop in the prico of native land. His opinion vraß that the bill was an absolute resumption of pre-emptive right. ' Under the bill it was impossible to purchase more than 320 aores of land or leape more than 5,000 acrps, which, he contended; was absolutely ridiculous for the promotion of settlement in some of the districts, Mr Dargaville thought Mr • Hakuene'a speech was a compete argument that the natives did not understand the bill." Tor himself, he regarded 'the bill ac an honest attempt on the part of tfie Native ' Minister to deal with a' difficult 1 question; and Mr Ballance must haye 1 been at the mild criticism of his bill. The bill provided -for payment direct to ~ofrDßre?6f money they were' entitled to, : which, hejeonsidered, was "a^proper provisions UWUe- bill 'also .really provided fdr- pre* emptive • right, *• but* its '^topped ''short db i 'excluding natives from -obtaining thereat price" for their land: in open market. '•*»*■••-. 'J.»r 'W, ,.., v .iv . iv Mr W. F. Buckland said the bill took from the natives the first principle of British freedom, in that it gave them no power to dispose of their own property. Mr Ormond said when he spoke against the second reading the bill, he gave, as

he thought, conclusive reasons against it, tho principal reasons being the committee system, and fixing the tenure of land. His firm belief was that the effect of the bill would be to absolutely stop the settlement of the North Island. He referred to the speech of Mr Dargavvlle, and said last year that hon. gentleman had opposed the bill, but now, without any reason for his change of opinion, he in^nded supporting it. As to the speeches of the native members, he ventured to assort that those members were voting in opposition to the wishes of thoir people. Tho natives in Mr Wi Fere's own district weie opposed to the passing of the raea sure. Air Wi Pere lurther had plainly ptated that tho pre-emptive right should bo resorted to. He (Mr Ortnond) did not pretend for one moment that his objection to the bill was on native grounds. He thought the time had come when native lands should bo beneficially ocenpied. Sir K. Stout said it was to be regretted that somo members con]d not snaak on this bill without threatening the Maori members. Be ventured to prodict that few European members would be returned to the House pledged to tax native lands. He paid tho House now understood the reason why tho member for Napier opposed the bill. It was because of those struggling settlers on the East Coast, whom ho had referred to. He referred to land purchases in Hawke's Bay in the past, as being a disgrace to the colony, and said the House did not want to permit a return to that state of things. This bill, he contended, was the fir?t attempt to enable Maoris to deal with their land without being wronged. Air Lako a a ked the South Island members to discard the special pleading of the Piernier fiom their miud in connection with this Bill. He considered that pre-emption was a!ro\dy in the Bill, and also by it the natives would be robbed more by the Government agents than by private purchnseis. As to what the Premier had desctibed about Hawke's Bay land purchases, he (Mr Lake) had seen exactly the same thing done by the Native Commiseioners of the Government He believed the bill was nothing but a sham, and would oppose its third reading. J Mr Moss opposed the bill. He said it j certainly provided for pre-emptive right, inasmuch as the Government only could purchase native lands. The bill evidently moant the building up of a large land purchase department. Mr Pratt supported the bill. Mr Ballance never remembered any debate where the speeches of those opposed to a bill were so meagrely constructed. He referred to the speeches of the various members who 1 opposed the bill. He said Mr Rollcstou was in favour of the bill two >oara ago, and his Government circulated a similat one He denied that the bill was moant to carry out pre-emption. It was simply to carry out the wishes of 40,000 people of the native race. One of the great features of the bill was that it cairied the great mass ot the native people'^ wi&hes with it. The third reading was carried by a m ijoriby of 20. The bill then passed, and the House roae at 2.15.