THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Press, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5365, 5 December 1882, Page 2

THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

[PBHSS ASSOCIATION THLKGBAM.J BLENHEIM, December 4. The Middle Island Railway Extension Commission held its first sitting here on Saturday in the Supreme Court buildings, and were occupied during the day in receiving evidence. The following witnesses were examined:—Messrs Henry G. Clark, Commissioner of Crown .Lands and Chief Surveyor j Charles Elliott; Vincent Hewitt, John Murphy, John McKenzie, Alfred Dobson, Sutherland Macalister, inspector of telegraphs for Marlborongh and Nelson. The evidence adduced was mainly to show the character of the soil and climate along the East Coast and central routes. A very unfavorable description was given of the land between the Hanmer Plains and Tophouse. It was stated that there was very little land suitable for agriculture. The evidence was given as to the severity of the winter on that mute, and its long continuance, also as to the great destruction of cattle and sheep during the heavy snow and severe frosts. The. general opinion was favorable to the construction of the railway by the East Coast, where there,was more available, agricultural land, as tending to promote more settlement than would take, place on the central route.