THE EDENDALE LINE.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1062, 28 January 1879, Page 3

THE EDENDALE LINE.

A bailwat, if the route Selected for its construction be a^ good. nnd- proper one, is of such vast importance Vto a district that the benefit conferred onthe residents cannot easily ;be estimated, and when completed even good roads are almost completely forsaken for the speedier travelling by rail. The route to be traversed by the Edendale-Fortrose railway line is of more than ordinary moment. Throughout the Toi Tois roads, are in a very primitive state ; indeed, it may be Baid, nature has hardly been disturbed. It will thus be seen that if a good route be selected the necessity of making expensive roads may be avoided. We are not in a. position to say what route has been decided upon, or that the matter has been settled at all, but it is reported that after passing through the townehip of Wyndham the line will be 1 aken down tbe eastern bank of the Mataura river. Although confessing that we are not engineers we do not hesitate to assert that the valley route is a better one. Even at the piesent day, the number it would benefit far exceeds that on the river bank, while in the not far distant future the numbers in favor of the latter route will be greatly increased. Those who are in favour of the railway being taken down the river bank will probably say we are writing in the interests of the large land owners, that the route (suggested by us will greatly benefit some large land proprietors owning a good tract of country, and wbo would thus receive a great benefit. To those who urge such an objection against the valley line, we say you are only doing so to further your own selfish interests. If in benefitting the settlers others also share in tbe good,thatisno reason wby];tbe line should not be made in that direction indicated. There cannot be a shadow of doubt that a vast number will in ihe future uee the line if run through the valley, but were it constructed on the river bank certainly not more than half-a-dozen would have access to the line. The arguments advanced in favour of the river bank line that it will be less expensive is not tenable. The valley route will certainly be an expensive one in some places ; as also will the other, as some heavy cuttings will have to be made along the river bank. But, even for argument's sake, admitting that tbe presumed favoured route is tbe cheapest, tbat cannot for a moment be considered when the question of the usefulness of the line is put in the scale against it. The back country is thinly populated now, but tbe railway will give such an impetus te settlement that in a very short time what is now almost a wild will be the scene of smiling homesteads. The land in the vicinity has been proved to be admirably adapted for agricultural purposes ; it will therefore be eagerly sought after, and tbe produce from which will form an important item in the railway returns, should the line be taken through the valley. If it is not it will be of no value whatever to the district until it reaches nearW to Fortrose.