THE OTAGO CENTRAL.

Evening Star, Issue 9386, 7 May 1894, Page 1

THE OTAGO CENTRAL.

The hostile attitude of the Minister of Lands towards the Otago Central Railway necessarily opens itp afresh the whole question of the construction of this lino. In this part of the Colony his assertions have no influence, since the real facts are well known, but they are calculated greatly to prejudice the carrying on of the work, which is already by no means popular in the North Island, whilst regarded in Canterbury, Nelson, . and Westland as quite secondary in importance to the Midland Railway. Under these circumstances, it may not be inopportune to refer to tho considerations which induced the original inception of the railway, and secured the energetic support of Sir Harry Atkinson after visiting Central Otago in 1889. In his memorandum attached to the Bill which he introduced in the session of that year Sir Harry stated his conviction that tho line, when completed, would “give tho “ command of a large and valuable district, “for the most part the property of the “Crown, and now rented by pastoral “tenants, most of which is suitable for “ the settlement of an industrious popula- “ tion. There is also in some parts “of the district, to which the rail“way would give. convenient access, “a considerable mining population that “would bo benefited by the railway, “ which would also give encouragement to “ further enterprise in extending that “industry.” It may be noted that Mr John M‘Ken?jlE, in his remarkable deliverance at Hyde the other day, ignored altogether the existence of the present settled population throughout the country to be traversed by the line, whoso interests are so closely bound up with its completion, and also the fact that large and important industries are concerned. The Minister of Lands would really appear to have only one idea in his head—small settlements, to wit—on which he would locate “ all sorts and conditions of men,” preferably those without means or experience, under the absurd delusion that he is thus “ putting people on tho land.” Not only would the completion of tho Otago Central—-to use the words of the Railway Commissioners in 1889—“ enhance the value of the largest and most “valuable estate of Crown lands in the “ Colony,” and tho expenditure 011 the construction be therefore directly reproductive, but the development of many resources other than purely agricultural would bo materially forwarded. The extent and richness of these resources arc very clearly set forth iu the report of tho Commissioners appointed in 1881 by tho County Councils of Vincent, Maniototo, and Taieri to “ ex“nmirr into and report on the area and “value of tho Crown lands which jvould “ be opened, the capabilities of the land fit “for settlement, and to what extent its “value would bo enhanced, and popula- “ tion, production, and traffic iu tho “central district of Otago advanced,” The natural conditions are not altered, and circumstances remain much the same as at the date of this report. Further than that, there has been a further thirteen years’ experience of cultivation, as well as of climatic variations—an experience which tends to confirm the favorable opinion formed by the Commissioners as to the productiveness of Central Otago. In addition to its agricultural capabilities, the report states the district can produce “fruit and vegetables of all kinds of surpassing quality.” The fruit-bearing zone, it is stated, extends as far as Pembroke, on the Wanaka, and the growth admits of indefinite extension. Whilst the various agricultural and pastoral resources of tho country can hardly be over-estimated, the Commissioners direct attention to the possibilities of tho timber trade from extensive forests in the vicinity of Lake Wanaka. At present, as at the time when tho report was written, no more is cut than is necessary to supply local wants; whilst there is no question that a supply at a moderate cost would lead at once to an increased element for building, fencing, and mining purposes. The whole of the district to he opened up by the railway is an established, and, even under the existing unfavorable circumstances, a productive goldfield. Until, indeed, tho agricultural capabilities of the upper country arc made more available oold mining is likely to remain the mainstay of tho population. It is, of course, manifest that the production of gold would bo largely increased if the cost of living were reduced and facilities for tunnelling and sinking on deep leads afforded by timber being procurable at a low price. The whole of the railway route is within the geological formation named by Professor Hutton “The Wanaka,” and stated by him to bo the “ main gold-bearing formation of Otago.” The very richness of the alluvial workings, the Commissioners say, “ has been derived from the degrada- “ tion of the quartz veins, leading to the “ inference that a vast amount of “auriferous rock is yet to be profitably worked capable of maintaining “a large population.” The prohibitive cost of timber is the chief obstacle in the way of effective prospecting. Gold, moreover, is by no means the only mineral resource of the district. Iu Vincent and Maniototo Counties there are several, collieries, and tho supply of brown coal of good quality is abundant. Some of the seams arc 25ft in thickness. Grey antimony has been found in several places. A fine lode is situated iu tho Garrick Range, regarding which Professor Ulrich has reported that, “ although the lode is a “ promising one, the expenses of carriage “of the ore to tho nearest market would “ be so high as to leave but a small, if any, “ margin for working expenses out of the “pri .o obtainable for it.” In the same loefciity copper pyrites is obtainable, which contain 13|- per cent, of metallic copper. Until cheaper carriage is obtained, however, the mines cannot be profitably worked. Cinnabar, containing 82 per cent, of quicksilver, has also been found. The following minerals are known to exist in abundance in the Dunstan part of the districtßhodonite or manganese spar, manganite or the grey oxide of manganese, bournonite or grey copper ore; whilst specimens of galena, graphite, native copper, zinc blende, and silver have also been obtained. “ The dormant mineral resources of the district are evidently, the report says, “very extensive, only requir- “ ing improved communication to become “a source of additional wealth to the “ community ” The Commissioners further note that they saw in the Museum at Clyde a specimen of stalactitic marble, beautifully marked and semi-translucent, which was “ taken from a vein discovered “ between Cromwell and Clyde, said to bo “ capable of being quarried to a largo and “ profitable extent if easy means of car- “ riago were practicable.” It is not surprising that they came to the conclusion

that the construction of the Otago Central should, in the interests, not only of the province, but of the Colony, be “pro-.. “ coedcd with and steadily earned fonvaid “ to completion without delay.” '