RAILWAYS IN CANTERBURY.

Evening Star, Issue 2877, 9 May 1872, Page 3

RAILWAYS IN CANTERBURY.

On the 22th ult., was opened with some ceremony, the Kaiapoi extension of the Great Northern Kailway. The work was commenced in June, 18/0 ; and the origixral estimate of the cost was 1 92,500 for the 19 miles, including everything except land and rolling stock In October, 1871, the works which were generally advanced were handed over to the General Government, and completed by them. IS ow it transpires there will be a saving of L 10,000, reducing the estimate from L 92,500 to L7G.500, and the proportional cost per mile is reduced from L 4 900 to slightly over 4,000, which saving will purchase the land required. It is expected that the Eangiora extension will be completed in four months. On reaching Kaiapoi, the occupants of the opening train were entertained at lunch, when the usual congratulatory speeches were made. In responding to the toast of the “ General Government,” the hon. the Resident Minister, after pointing out that the great danger and difficulty which the country had to contend With was the impatience of the public in regard to railway construction, is reported to have apoken as follows We know that expedition in railway construction is a question of money, and it is a comparative question. At the rate a large portion of the Pacific Railway was made, the Kaiapoi railway would be made in six weeks, but it is obvious that such a thing is altogether out of the question in such a country as this, and that even to unduly hasten works is to add largely to their cost. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Lf it has taken all these efforts of the Canterbury Government to complete this line in twenty months, is it reasonable the public should complain when we have in hand the working survey of 250 miles of main lines and about 150 miles of lighter lines of railway, and these, too, in many cases not on a plain comparatively level as a billiard table, but over hilly and difficult country?—(Hear, hear, and cheers). We have been told that we have already blundered and bungled, and failed to carry out our negotiations with tho contractors. You ean hardly expect me to go fully into the details concerning the negotiations with the Messrs Brogden. If there have been any hindrances, I say it is a fair reason for the the public to suppose that their Government is doing its duty by them in dealing with the Messrs Brogden.—(Hear, bear). There can be no reason for an instant to suppose that it can be otherwise than that we have the strongest possible inducement to come to terms and get these railways made as soon as possible. (Hear, hear, and cheers). Therefore, if there have been difficulties in the way and I don’t say there have not keen —there is no reason to say otherwise than that your Government is doing fairly with the oountiy.