THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 240, 16 July 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1872.

At the meeting of the Kauaeranga Highway District Board last evening, Mr Grove waited upon the members in reference to the tramway lie proposes to lay down from the battery to Augusta-street. A letter was read from the (Superintendent similar to one sent not long ago to the Waiotahi Board, in which his honor says the Provincial Government are anxious to co-operate with Lite local Boards in laying down tramways as the best means of accommodating the goldfields traffic. Certain conditions, however, as to guage, iron rails, etc., are made, which Mr Grove considers too stringent for him to comply with. The Board suggested to Mr Grove to send in a fresh application stating what conditions he proposed, and they would recommend the Superintendent to grant the application if possible. It is clear that a comprehensive system of tramways will have to be resorted to on this field. The existing roads are utterly uusuited to the purpose, aud the funds at the disposal of the local Boards are utterly inadequate to keep them in repair, as has been pointed out very many times. We hope to see the'subject brought prominently forward this session at Wellington, and that our member will give us the full benefit of his practical experience on the subject. These tramways should not, we think, be looked upon altogether as a means of raising revenue, but of facilitating the development of the resources of the goldfield, and also facilitating the means of transit from the mines to the batteries. Tbe tramway from Tararu to Grahamstowu has been a decided success, aud we hope the day is not far distant when it will be extended (either by the beach or along the base of the hills) to land, and connected at each inter-section with the existing tramways. Ultimately we hope to see a Kailway Horn here to the Waikato, by wa) of the coal fields, and so with the main trunk line from Auckland to the houth. 11l the meantime we shall he very glad to see the Government actively promoting the extension of the tramway system ou this field. It appears to us that, iu the first instance, the necessity of having iron rails should not be insisted upon, wood being so much cheaper and readier to hand, although not so durable. As the place advances iron rails could be substituted. Uniformity of guage is, of course, desirable, with a view of any

comprehensive systeuq~l'iut as few restrictive Conditions as | osslble should Be in&posed. Money is being borrowed by tile Govemme t und spent in many ways which,'we are sure, would be less reproductive than in making tramways on this goldfield. Amongst the appropriations this session we hope to see a liberal sum devoted, to pub ic works on this field .The Thames has never yet received anything like its fair share of the revenue derived from it, and the sooner the Government acknowledges this fact, and takes steps to remedy the existing neglect the better. We have had niany promises of what was to be done for "the Thames, and we have had visits from Government officials, engineers, and contractors, but so far very little has been done in the way of works. We shall be glad to see a beginning made in the matter of extension of tramways and water works as soon as possible.