THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12867, 27 July 1907, Page 11

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

TO 'HIE KDITOIt OF "TUE I'KKSB

Sir,—lt is to be hoped that the people of C<i! t r!)ury will not allow their enthusiasm to abate in the matter of the Midland railway. The acceptance of the tender for the tunnel is not sufficient to assure us that the line will he put through in reasonable time. Mr Fisher's comment on the Rollcston britko is ludicrous. The Government have shown their wisdom in constructing the bridge, would Mr Fiehcir tell us where the debris from the tunnel would bo taken if at the entrance there wero no bridge across the turbulent stream ? How could timber, rails, machinery, stores, etc., be taken without tho bridge? Ho makes n preat deal about the Union Steam Hhfp Company monopoly. The. Company would not bo heavy losers without the Coast trade. Tho dangers and cost of delays for wart of a deep soa harbour tnako it the most expensive portion of their trade, juid tho marvel ia that their charges are not greater.. The work" of the railway should be puehed on with all possible speed. It is too late to raise opposition as to tho rout© chosen. The incomplete*! portion of the line must J«> eonstructp<l to make the present lines productive. The completion of tho lino is n stronE argument in favour of a firstclass harbour for first <)•• l lost port of rail. The savins in tin .> to business would bo very preat. In iwl and timber, Canterbury would benefit largely through cheaper freights and more direct delivery. M the present, there »»ro millions of foot of pood timber on tho Const being wasted that <it present ennnot bo shipped. This would come direct to farmers and others for cheap house and outbuildings, and be .1 sivina of thousands of pounds each year. Chrietchuich would bo tho centre for West Coast eunnlio-s. It would bo an advantage to Wγ?t CVist business, ns merchants would not l)e required to stock so heavily, owinc to tho present uncertainty of supplies. There would Ho an increase, in population, both in Christchuroh <md the West Const. At the present, Canterbury hr.s developed its lnndis almost to the hiahr<st productive point, and Christchurch requires additional territory to doveloo and strengthen its resources. The railway would mean the development ot this city in 1 manner that has not yet been conceived by many of its residents. ]{,mid communications l>etween hero and the Coast would make this easily the city in the future of Now Zealand. The advantages of tho nilway in time of war would be obvious . Our dancer at present lies in being satisfied with present acquirements. Wo should use every endeavour to push fcrward the railway from Broken river. As soon as rbssible. the lino should bo laid to the Cas*. Several miles of this is excellent formation. It -will be a source of rearet if want of and activity on hohtilf of residents hero .uid on tho Coast should unnecessarily prolong this groat achievement. —Yours, etc.,' J. B. MERRETT. Christchurch. July 27th. IPO7.