THE WEST COAST RAILWAY QUESTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6868, 5 March 1883, Page 6

THE WEST COAST RAILWAY QUESTION.

■■ ■ The following letter has been addressed to tho Hon 1?. Whitaker by the Chairman of the Hailway League j Christchurch, March 3,1883. Sir,—'With reference to the interview that you wore good enough to grant to a depute* lion from the Committee of this League on the 28th alt., in' compliance with the wish that you then expressed that the Committee should famish you with the precise views of the League with respect to the scope of the Commission which the Government has agreed to appoint to report on the several proposed routes of railway between Canterbury and the West Coast, I have now the honour to submit to yon tho following resolutions, which were adopted by a meeting of the Committee held yesterday t—--1. That the Commission should bs appointed forth* purpose of making enquiry into the comparative probable cost and economical or commercial value and other merits of the several lines specified in the accompanying tabular statement, dated January, 1833, or any other lines proposed for the connection of the Provincial District of Canterbury with the West Coait of the Middle Island j and also for the pirposo of making enquiry into the mineral ant other resources of the district# or lacds which tha respective proposed lines Would traverse} it being the denreof this League thst the said Commission should make enquiry in tho most ample and complete manner into all the foots and dream* stances necessary and proper to bo considered in determining the best lino to connect Cantor* bury with the West Coast. 2. That in the opinion ot this Committee if the Oommisuoners who reported upon tho proposed extension of the Middle Island trunk lino northwards by the east coast and Tophouse routes, could J)0 induced to undertake the work, it is desirable that they should be appointed to make the promised repoet on the several proposed lines to connect Canterbury with the West Coast. 3. That tho Government be invited to make every effort to have tha report of tho Commissioners on the said proposed lines to con* ncofc Canterbury with the West Coast, published before the next session of Parliament. Enclosed I further beg to band you a copy of a letter from. Mr William Banks, dated .Tan. 8 last, together with a map by Mr Now* combe. These 'papers have reference to a route by way of the Abaura, bat the Committee has nut had on opportunity of verifying the information i and it is therefore, merely desired that the papers should bo placed in the hand* of tho Commissioners to bo dealt with by them at they may deem proper. I have also been instructed by the Committee to repeat the earnest request made to you by th* deputation on the 28th ult, vie., that the Government will definitely abandon the proposal to extend tl» Middle Island trunk line ,by way of the East Coast The unanimous conclusion of the Bail way League is that that proposal is nbt supported by nay justifying muou,and that the proposed extension of railway by way of the Bast Coast would be simply a waste of public money. On behalf of the Committee, I would also again beg to request that the Government will be. good enough to make public, at the earliest possible moment, the report of the Commissioners on the -proposed extension of the Middle* Island trunk line northwards. I have, &c., W. OmrrarAtl, Chairman. The Hon the Premier, Christchurch,