The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1886. THE GORGE LINE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2416, 4 October 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1886. THE GORGE LINE.

There has been a somewhat acriraoniouH controversy lately as to whether the Government are duly diligent in constructing the line through the Gorge, and considerable pressure in favor of its speedy accomplishment is being brought to bear on the Public Works department. The late Ministry had a friendly Bupport from Napier and Wellington members, and wero accordingly sympathetic with tho Gorgj line; tho present Ministry do not rely on those two districts for any material support, and are accordingly less friendly on this particular project than their predecessors, It is, perhaps, to be,regretted that any proposal for railway extension Bhould depend upon party prejudices, instead of resting upon a consideration of wbethcr it is in tho interests of the colony as a

whole. The disturbing element in this question is the Wellington-Manawatu Coinpuny's line. It is not too much to say that the promoters of this company have been eminently: successful in the economical construction and management of a large public work, but it does not follow from this that their undertaking should prove a financial success. Prom the first we were of tho opinion that notwithstanding the liberal concessions made to the company by tho Government, the West Coast line could not be made remunerative. The company has done all within its power to bring the undertaking to a paying point, its affairs have been admirably managed, but still wo tear it is unlikely to prove a dividend paying concern. If it were to do so, it would be as well if future railway construction in this colony were relegated to private enterprise j but if, on the contrary, it proves an unprofitable venture, tho colony will be taught a lesson. As we understand i it, the Wellington-Manawatu Company depend very much on the opening of a line through (be Gorge for their future prospects. The Government certainly ought not to incur a henvy expense on such a work merely to oblige the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company, more especially when the through traffic between Woodville and Wellington will 1 e transferred from a colonial to a private line. The main considorati hi, however, is whether a duplicate line of railway is needed between Woodville and Wellington. Tho supporter of the Gorge line very justly point out that the ronto via tho Weßt Coast^iß''smoother and shorter than thjßt over the Rimutaka, and, consequently the transit of passengers and .goodsjwould be in favor of the former, lliis urgutreut, however, does not settle the" question. In a colony like tow Zealaud we cannot afford alternative routes. As long as the Wairurupa line will curry tho truffle from Woodville at a reasonable rate and within h reasonable time it is oxtravagaut in the extreme to supersede it by another that will involve an enormous expenditure which will not be recouped by any saving on freight for the next twenty years, The initial mistake was made when the Wellington-Manawatu Company was ullowed to cor.struct the WesfcCoaßt line, It was then pretty dearly understood that the chances wero against the line paying, that if it did not pay the colony would be obliged to take it over in the interests of the Compauy, and that if it did pay the colony would have to take it over in the public interest. This isßue will soon havo to be faced, and the Gorge line is an important factoi in the problem, Every thousand pounds spent on this connectiou will raiso the price that sooner or later tho Government will havo to pay for the purchase of the Wellington • Manawatu line. Tho Gorge line ought not to bo made uuless the Wellington-Manawatu lino is purchased, and if the transfer of the latter be made the colony will be saddled with duplicate lines botween Woodville and Wellington which will havo to be administered at a loss for many a year to como. In any case the Maaterton-Woodville line ought to be completed before n foot of the Gorge line is constructed.