CHRISTCHURCH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3551, 25 November 1882, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

November 25. The Lyttelton graving dock is to be formally opened next month by Sir J. Prendergast, the Acting Governor. The Railway Commissioners sat again yesterday. Anions; the persons examined was Mr W. Atkinson, of Rangiora, who had resided for a good many years in the Wairau district. This witness.'described the character of tbe country between the Wairau and Hanmer Plains, and his evidence was unfavorable to the expenditure of money on tbe construction of a railway northward by either the East Coast or Central route. During the winter persons had been frequently stopped in their journey on the Hanmer Plains from the depth of snow that lies for a considerable time, and he did not see how a railway train could make its way through the snow in the winter, as the the drifts reach a height of ten feet. There was a considerable destruction of cattle and sheep during the winter, and he did not think there was much prospect of railway traffic through that country. The expense of keeping a railway along the East Coast in repair would be considerable. The Commissioners leave this morning on their way to Blenheim.

At the quarterly general meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce yesterday the following resolution was unanimously agreed to:—"That this Chamber, having learned that the Railway Commission have stated that the terms of their commission precludes them from reporting upon the question of the best route for a railway to connect Canterbury with the West Coast, respectfully request the Government to amend the powers of the present Commission, or appoint another Commission to report upon the subject before the next meeting ot the General Assembly."