GREYMOUTH AND WESTPORT LINE OF TELEGRAPH.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 555, 16 September 1869, Page 2

GREYMOUTH AND WESTPORT LINE OF TELEGRAPH.

The fifth annual report of the Telegraph Department, as suhtaitted to the Governor by the new Commissioner, Mr Vogel, has been printed and published. In this report, the General Manager makes the following reference to the line between Greytnouth and Westport:— This line was erected at the instance of the Provincial Government of Nelson, which has guaranteed six per cent, on the total cost of construction, as well as any deficiency which may hereafter exist between the receipts of the line and the actual cost of working and maintaining it. On its completion, stations were opened at Brighton, Charleston, and Westport. The line consists of a single wire, and is a continuation of the Hokitika and Greymouth line. Its total length is sixtyseven miles, and it has been constructed at a cost of £7,002 175., being at the rate of £lO4 10s. Sd. per mile. It has been the most expensive lino yet constructed, owing to the large amount of bush-clearing that had to he effected; the high rate of wages (12s per diem) ; the almost incessant wet weather during the progress oT the works; and the numerous other difficulties which had to be overcome during the course of construction. These difficulties were not unforeseen, and the estimated cost of the line by the Provincial Government of Nelson (.•67,000) has only been exceeded by the sum of £2 17s. Since the line has been opened, it has added largely to the revenue of the department.