RAILWAYS AT THE CAPE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XV, Issue 67, 19 November 1856, Page 2

RAILWAYS AT THE CAPE.

The Select Committee of the Houses of Assembly appointed to inquire into the expediency of affording Government encouragement to the construction of railroads in the Cape of Good Hope have presented their report. Their conclusions are as follows : —

1. That the topographical features of several portions of this colony are particularly favourable for the formation of railroads.

2. That, in more than one locality, the traffic at present existing, and that which would be created by improved means of transit, would seem to warrant the introduction of communication by rail.

3. That the bsst interests of the colony, and the whole internal economy of the country, would be considerably benefited by the establishment of such improved means of communication, inasmuch as the producer would thereby be relieved from a great portion of the difficulties he now experiences in bringing the fruits of his labour to a favourable market, while, at the same time, the labour now employed in this necessary occupation might, in a great measure, be made available for other purposes. There are many other weighty reasons which, in the opinion of your committee, render it highly desirable that the Colonial Government should encourage and assist in promoting railroad communication in South Africa; but it is difficult to arrive at any definite plan for affording such assistance with, safety to the colonial revenue and benefit of railway enterprise. After maturely considering the subject, your committee believe that nothing short of the direct guarantee of a certain rate of interest on the capital required would induce parties in England or elsewhere to furnish the means for carrying out such works in this colony *, and they further think that this guarantee might be safely undertaken by the Colonial Government, under certain precautionary restrictions. Those restrictions might be something like the following :— lst. The projectors of any proposed line of railway to have proper surveys, levels, sections, working plans, and estimates prepared at their own sole expense, and be prepared to prove, by sufficient evidence, that the scheme is practicable, and not only to be remunerative to the shareholders but of benefit to the community generally. 2nd. That such plans, estimates, &c., shall be laid, either before the Parliament or some competent board of commissioners appointed for the purpose ; and if, after having been minutely and fully inquired into, it shall be found that the proposed speculation is legitimate and expedient, such authorized body as aforesaid shall report to that effect j and then, and not till then, the Colonial Government should undertake the guarantee in question. Your committee hare further to report that the allegations contained in a petition presented to this house by the lessees and others interested in the development of the tm'neral riches of Little Namaqualand have been fully investigated! It will be seen, by the evidence attached to this report, that the Colonial Surveyor-General has supplied some valuable information on this head'; and your committee have given the subject their earnest attention, considering it s matter of such importance to the welfare of the colony at large as to merit the immediate attention of the Legislature. The result of their inquiry has gone to prove : — 1. That immense quantities of copper ore, of excellent quality, exist in, "the district alluded to, which can be raised to the surface at a comparatively trifling cost.

2. That the present means of transit are so defective and expensive as to prey ent the removal of any ore, except such as contains not legs than 25 per cent, of pure coppe*. 3. That the great mass of ore is found to vary in richness from 12 per cent, to 18 per cent., and cannot, therefore, be removed under existing circumstances with any chance of bucc©s9. And your committee are, therefore, of opinion that, except some assistance be rendered, the greater number of the present lessees will be compelled to abandon their worts j and the riches of the country, which might otherwise contribute so largely to the colonial prosperity, will remain dormant in the bowels of the earth. To prevent so undesirable a consummation, your committee would recommend that one or other of the following concessions should be made on the part of the Colonial Government :^»

1. By extending the leases from fifteen to fifty years, and thereby putting the lessees into a favourable position for making the necessary improvements in the roads to a seaport. 2. By the guaranteeing a reasonable rate of interest upon the capital required to complete a railway, on condition that, in the event of any deficiency occurring, such deficiency Bhould be made up by a tax or toll upon every ton of ore exported. 3. By the Colonial ■Government taking an interest in the formation of a railway, say to the extent of one-half, on the understanding that the other parti* concerned should pay interest on the amount so contributed out of the proceeds of the working of th« scheme before dividing the annual profits amongst tha shareholders. Although your committee would be very glad to see any of these suggestions adopted, yet they would beg to state that, in the present position of the colonial finances, they think that an extension of leases would be most advisable, as no risk would thereby accrue to the colonial revenue : while, on tne other hand, any new discoveries which anght inluture be made, would be the property of the Government, and might be disposed of or worked to considerable advantage. Your committee would also recommend that efforts should be made to bring about the construction of good common roads in Tsamaqualand, and would suggest the employment of colonial convict labour in that country as soon as practicable.

The Turkish Government have given orders in England for the construction of a light vessel of the dimensions fixed by the treaty of the 30th of March, fov the service of the Black Sea. This is to serve as a model for five others which are to be constructed in Constantinople.