NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume 19, Issue 276, 19 July 1882, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

In the annual report on the New Zealand Eailways, just published, the General Manager, Mr. J. P.Maxwell, speaks strongly in favor of the present route over the fiimutaka to Wairarapa as against the line by the coast and up the Wairarapa Valley, which has so often been held to be preferable. Mr. Maxwell says: — " The average cost of goods moved per. ton per mile is as follows : Auckland, 2.25 d .; Wellington, 2.74 d .; Wanganui, 2.31 d. This comparison is interesting, as it is the first year the returns have been got out to show the results. The two lines Auckland and Wellington are not very dissimilar in the traffic and in the proportionate quantities moved, and the rates 'of wages closely approximate. The Wellington line is of a most exceptional character, | needing special appliances ; the Auck- j land line is one with comparatively easy features. Yet the difference in the average cost of working is only |d. per ton per mile. This affords some approximate means of judging whether it would have been cheaper to have selected a route for the Wellington line via the coast, some thirty miles longer, into the inhabitable country. Taking a 70-mile run for the shorter route as against a 100run for the longer, the difference in cost would be in favor of the shorter by 2s. Bd., per ton, It may be estimated that the cost of a coast line of extended . length could not ; at any rate, have been less than the route adopted, and it would probably have been more, and the time occupied must also be taken in favor of the shorter route. The selection of this route was, therefore, clearly sound, and, as it is a point on which many doubts have been expressed, it is satisfactory to obtain confirmatory evidence."

' Tdisiridts.'— Tuey would consider t^e Wo*' jjpriety of offering- a- bonus for the proauc|Bon off'wWattlfe bark for tanning purposes. „ ijmTJiey prppq«|fl.d tqftutliorisfl the sufvey inJPelorous distr|ct.-f-They could ; iiot v 'upj3ej;tftke ta provide, lodging allow1 ance for All married constables, as it --'VdulS cost £4400 afyear. ' ! »',».'. .. o' H-i^BiLta: .. > "'4he '4ebate'bn the Land Bill' was % " resumed by Colonel Trimble, who warmly , . Buppw ted, tb,e" Bill a^ a , useful,, experimental 'mea'snro. He tb'otogbt thejßill proposed to give the tenants a suffioitftntly BQCure,tennre. In bis part of, the country (lie deferred payment system had proved a great euccesg, and the settlers were quite satisfied. He quoted experience of India i ' in' favor of lerisitlg land. ', Mr. Hutchison approved of the principle oi the Bill, but not of its details. He urged leaving the land administration to county councils. . ... " t Mr^Peafepck 'did not think tlie, Bill ) ' wbnld srotm.ee' the good results dn.ticil!pated'| <tiiß in comniittee he wtiUld tiy'to alter several of its proVisione. '. '■ ' • <, Mx._Sliepherd.apniaV£djil.tb,e principle of (leasing, , hut thought. the ; conditions, propwfidLswxa,liaiak..and jinnecessarUy restrictive. If the Bill were passed at all, it would have to bo in a very different shape tctfti present one. j :\\ / ' , ; Mr. Rutherford supported the Bill,;ancl quoted personal experience. in. Ireland, .BcpUand, .and England in .favor of the, •Mr. Stevens strongly urged the^nec^ssity for maMag lSfid J)oards elective. He^ supported^ft^Blurajpthe general proposalß weiffi^M^t&encourage settlement. Th|yp6llpwJ ll !uawever, never likeß leaser without arpurchasing clause^ andto induce the 'sbtii 1 of settlers to take np land in theJbusb, a provision should be ''inttrtfld^iii'tn'd leases giving a right; df purchase. He would suggest that every poßtrt&ata^ouldrfeaittittorisXd to receive applications for land, and give receipts for payment. w^,^, Mr. Shrimaki supported the Bill, and cfWandwjd at hi§ .side of tli,e, House oppps'^ing^sucn 'a liberal fafe'aanrei 'He' wars Btrongly in favor of elective lnnrt boardfe.' ' • iot: Turnbtill tlionghl th? speeches of •..M*Bpr6. Hall and Weslutt. hpd *ettH \he iuie oi ihe Bill. He lihimeu Uic Government for not Btanding or falling djy a bill df U)js.fetod...ir ; He gtrongljrpDpo^ed it, as |9flto^tp_di£Cimj^e>opulat{on and capital from coming to the colony. He ~ advocated giving land., to settlers who would 'oc'cJfrpy it, at'a J -o6st dimply suffi- . ment to cover, tl^e cost of survey, but 1 mibjecfc' toil tax which would' eec'uri the public creditor to whom the public/state was pledged. , 1 f '• ' Mi BraCKen liidved the' fltt/Jurninflnt of the debate. , , • !-. The House rose at 12.401 ■ '