RUSSIAN RAILWAY EXTENSION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 283, 21 July 1888, Page 5

RUSSIAN RAILWAY EXTENSION.

Londojn, June 1. The Trans-Caspian railway, from AJichaclorsk, on tho Caspian, to Samarcand, a distance of about 900 miles, was formally opened on May 27th, tho anniversary oJt the coronation of Alexander 111. The first train which passed over the now line took General Annekofl', the engineer, and his colleagues, deputations of the learned societies, representatives of the press and a number of foreigners of distinction, invited especially to share in the inauguration. The train arrived at Samarcand at the appointed time, notwithstanding tho iloods between Kizil Avvat and Askabad and tho considerable rising waters of tho Amu Darin, which threatened to cause delay. The arrival was awaited by General Rosenbaeh, tho Governor of tho Turkestan Territory, an embassy fiom tho Ameer of Bokhara, the local authorities and a mass of Russians and natives. Amid the thunder cf cannon the train stopped close to the famous tomb of Tamerlane, where the company alighted, Luncheon was served in the oificial residence of General Rosenbnch, who proposed tho health of the Czar, the toast evoking the highest enthusiasm. Senator Scmcnon*', the President of the Imperial Geographical Socioty, delivered an address, in which he dwelt upon the eminent services of Geneial Anncnkoil*, who had so indefatigably laboured for the completion of the line. During tho day General Rosenbach held a review of the troops in garrison, and tho town was decorated with flags and illuminated in the e\oning. Tho iirst portion of the undeitaking, fiom Miehaolorsk to l\i<ril Arvat, was constructed in 1880. The district through which the railway pnsses consists for the most part of sandy steppes, dotted with oases. The district was founerly the haunts of wild nomadic tiibcs of Tuicoman&. The lino erosstja the Oxus by means of a wooden bridge, about four miles long, so constructed that trains can run on tho top and carnages underneath. After crossing the Oxus the line passes through Kansas, Bokhaia and terminates in Samaik. At every 12 versls, or about eight English miles, are small water stations with tow ers. These different stations have quickly become surrounded by barracks, lodginghouses and magazines. At Askabad and Mero, where the Turcomans formerly camped out in felt tents and huts, aie now towns with well-paved streets and footpaths of asphalt, hospitals, churches and schools. In Askabad, the seat of the Governor of the piovince, a small high-school has been erected for the benefit of the sons and daughters of Russian officers residing in the Trans-Caspian provinces. At Schaidjui, on the Amu-Daria, a whaif has been constructed on which several iron vessels ha'xe been built. The rolling-stock cons sts of 110 locomotives, heated with Caucasian naphtha, and over 1,000 waggons, most of which are two-storied. The journey along the whole line can be accomplished in about 50 hours. It is now possible to reach Samarcand from St. Peteisburs, 1 in seven days by making use of steam communication on the Volga and on the Caspian. Another route is by Odessa, the Black Sea, and Poti, and thence by the Twins-Caspian rail to Baku, thence by steamer across the Caspian to Usun Ada. Already two branch lines aie under consideration. One of these is to nin in a southeily direction towards Sarakhs, on the north-eastern frontier of Peieia, whilst the second line is to branch off fiom Schardjui, and to pass along the west shore of the Amu Dana as far as Khoja Saloh, on the Afghan frontier. Among the allusion 1 ? which have been made to the opening by tho Russian press the following is from the " Soct ":-■-" No sensible Russian regards the railway as a means to connect India, but rather as calculated to strengthen the Russian portion in Central Asia and finally to biing about a pacific and definite arrangement between England and Russia v. ith regard to Afghanistan. The establishment, of a junction between the Trans-Caspian and the Indian system will then be possible and will be attended with great ad* antagc to Ruosia.ii trade. %>