The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. wEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1822, 4 November 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1874.

Attention "was recently directed in the Thames Exchange to the state of the Karaka Tramway, and the anomalous position of thejpresent lessee or holder. We hare since heard a great deal more of the matter from persons interested in the working of this tramway, from which we infer that an abuse of patronage or some* thing worse has been allowed to interfere materially with the proper utilization of a work constructed at the cost of the I goldfield for the benefit of the goldfield. | It .is stated that the present owner has been allowed to remain in undisturbed possession of the tramway for a number of years; that no proper supervision has been exercised nor has any authorised scale of fees been adopted, the working of the road and the scale of charges being left solely to the arbitray will of "the man in possession." It is further asserted that 'the charges demanded for conveyance of quartz to the different mills are excessive, and retard the development of mines which might be made to pay under different circumstances ; that the line is in a bad state owing to the want of repairs, and the working plant—originally quite sufficient for all demands—well nigh ruined. We are assured that there is at one point on the line a stack of firewood containing several hundreds of tons, which the owner is unable to bring to a market owing to the excessive rate demanded for conveyance on the tramway. If those allegations be true they exhibit the existence of a crying evil which demands redress. It seems almost impossible that the Provincial Government can have any knowledge of such a state of things, and it would appear to be the duty of our Pro vincial Representatives to enquire into the matter at once and represent the case to the Superintendent. The Provincial District Engineer should certainly know something of the matter, as coming within his province. If it be true that the Earaka Tramway is held upon different conditions to the other tramways on the field, then a change should be made, and at once; for it appears that not only is public property being rapidly depreciated, but public convenience is made to suffer and the mining industry of the Karakais crippled. Such a state of things is a scandal on the working $of Provincial institutions, and Hhe sooner the matter is cleared up the better. The Kaiaka Tramway should be placed on the same footing as the other tramways up the creeks, which are, we believe, let annually by tender, sufficient guarantee being exacted from the lessees to provide for

the worts being kept in proper repair, a regulation of charges for , conveyance of quartz or other lading, and for systematic working to meet the requirements of the public. >