OAMARU AND MOERAKI RAILWAY. MR. PATERSON'S REPORT. (From the "Daily Times.") Dunedin, 10th January, 1868.

North Otago Times, Volume IX, Issue 279, 24 January 1868, Page 2

OAMARU AND MOERAKI RAILWAY. MR. PATERSON'S REPORT. (From the "Daily Times.") Dunedin, 10th January, 1868.

To Ilis Honor the Superintendent. Sir, — I have Ihe honor to submit, for your consideration, the following report as to the most advantageous mode of providing improved means of communication in the nortk-eastevn districts of Otago. In pursuance of youv Honor's instructions on this subject, I rocently VJ&ited those districts, making a general examination of the country adjoining the co.ist between Oaraaru and Moeraki, to which, by the instructions received, mj attention was speci*lly directed, Having formerly had occasion to pass through the same distiiuts, about lour years ago, I have thus had a favorable opportunity of observing the great progress which bus been made since that time in developing their mineral and agricultural resources. Whole tracts of country which were then unenclosed and unimproved, are now completely fenced and brought undor cultivation 5 substantial homesteads and large mills have been erected, quarries opened up, and other branches of industry successfully commenced ; in fact, I do not know any other district of similar extent in tins Province which has undergone such marked improvement within the last four years. The sea-borne traffic for the whole of these important districts is at present conducted from Oamaru and Moeraki, at both of which places jetties have been erected for the accommodation of tho class of vessels usually employed on the coasting trade, the depth at the end of the Oamaru Jetty being about 121fc., and at the Moeruki Jetty about 6ft., at low water. The shipping traffic at < amaru is, however, principally carried on by means of surf boats, the jetty there having as yet been very little U9ed for any 301 1 of tratiic. The inland traffic 13 conducted in the usual manner along the dray roads, which are still very bad 111 many places during a wet season, although an abundant 9upply of suitable material for road-inakiug cau generally be obtained close to the hue of the mam road. The resources of tho distntt are now so very well

known and so generally appreciated, that it seerns almost unnecessary to allude to them here further than to remark that they embrace an almost inexhaustible supply of limestone and of excellent building stone, and that the soil and climate are considered highly favorable for tho growth of wheat and other cereals of a very superior quality. In order to render these great natural benefits of practical advantage, and to encourage their further successful development, some mode of transit more conveuient and economical than the present tedious and expensive system of cartage must be provided before the districts in the interior and at a distance from the seaports can successfully compete for a sharo in the largo export trade of such commodities as grain and minerals ; and after careful enquiry and consideration of the whole circumstances, I have arrived at tho conclusion that the best mode of providing the required accommodations is by means of a railway intersecting the district, and communicating with the ports of Oamaru and Moeraki. The general route which I would recommend for this railway is indicated by blue and rod color* on the plan accompanying this report. With the exception of short branches to the Beach at Oaraaru and to Mooraki, the line proposed would form a part of the main line between the Waitaki and Dunedin, an:t it is also well adapted to meet local requriements, and to accommodate and develop the traffic of the adjoining district. From the Waitaki River a line has been already laid off, and the reserves made for a distance of about eight miles across the plains ; and from there to Oamaru I would propose to construct tho railway alongside of the main road, and along Thames-street and Severn-street (both two chains wide) in Oamaru, up to the site proposed for tho station at Oamaru, which iB on reserved land close to the west side of the river, and between Chelmer and Isis streets This site forms part of the reserve for public gardens, and it is both central and convenient of access. A short branch could easily be constructed from the station to the be.tch at Oamaru, without interfering with any private property. Towards the South, the proposed line would pass along the small valley of the Oamaru Creek up to the township boundary ; also through reserved land for the whole way. By this arrangement no private property would be required for the railway or station tin ough Oamaru, or from thence up to the land already reserved across the Waitaki Plains. After leaving the township, tho southern line would trend in a westerly diiection, passing towards the Cave Valley district, and entering the Waireka Valley, about a mile below Mr Hassell's house. A station at this place would be conveniently situated for the accommodation of the traffic from the Cavo Valley and Upper Waireku districts. Afrer entering the Waireka Valley, the line would run in a southerly and very direct course to Herbert, where it would curve towards the east, and cross the Otepopo rivers near the line of the main road. From thence to Hompden the line would follow the same general direction as the main road j and between liurnpden and Moeraki it would follow the general direction of the coast. Tho lengths of the hues which have just been described would bo approximately as follows . — MAIN LINE. Waitaki to Oamaru, about 13£ miles Oamaru to Waireka Valley, about ...4 A mile3 Waireka Valley to Kakauui, about ...5| „ Kakanui to Herbert, about 6 „ IJerbeit to Hanipdeu, about 8 „ Hampden to Moeraki Junction, about 2 ,, Total, Oamaru to Moeraki Junction, about 26 „ Oamaiu Branch, about... ... ... ... k ,, Moeraki Branch, about l| ,, A more direct line (also shown on the plan) could be obtained between Oamaru and Kakanui, which would save about two and a half miles, and I should prefer that route for a first-class railway ; but in the present instance, I would recommend the longer route, as being less costly in the first instance, and as being also better suited to supply local wants, and to accommodate the traffic of tho Waireka and the outlying districts to the west. The country between the Waitaki and Moeraki is, generally speaking, of a favorable description for the construction of railways. The earthworks would bo comparatively light, and there is abundance of stone, gravel, and other materials most required for such works. Some rather heavy worlds would be required in the vicinity of Oamaru ; and between Herbert and Otepopo there would also be about three miles of heavy work, including a short tunnel. The river crossings between Oamaru and Hampden would also involve a consideiable expenditure ; and as none of the principal rivers in that district are yet bridged, I would suggest that the bridges should be constructed to answer both for road and railway traffic, instead of erecting independent bridges for each purpose, by which means a considerable saving on the total cost might be effected. The class of railway which, in my opinion, should be found most beneficial for these districts iB what is generally termed a " light railway," constructed on a gauge of 4ft. 8£in. (the same as has been adopted for the Southern Trunk Railway), and to be worked by locomotive power. I do not think than any more tramway or horse railway would be found of much benefit ; the great want being some means by which tho farmers und others can, without the necessity of making troublesome arrangements, get their produce regularly and cheaply taken away from their farms, and for this purpose numerous sidings should be pro vided and every facility afforded for collecting and distributing the trafllc with as little trouble as possible, to those using the line. Tho works on n lino of the above description should all be substantial and complete of theii kind, and so that by strengthening the bridges, and laying down a heavier class of permanent way, the railway might be made capable of carrying the heavier traffic ot a through line. In the absence of sections showing the amount of work required, it is not possible to give you an accurate estimate of tnc probable cost j but after having examined the country and carefully considered the whole subject, I think that a very serviceable hirht locomotive line might be laid between Oamaru and the Waitaki, for about L30.000, being at the rate of L2400 per mile. From Oamaru to Moeraki, the average would be higher, owing to the expensive river crossings and heavy works required at some parts of the line ; my estimate for this division, including tho Oamaru and Moeraki branches, amounting to Ll 40,090, which is at the rate of L5000 per mile. These estimates include everything required for the ra'lways, except rolling stock, which would cost about LilOjOOO, and the cost of obtaining the land required for the works ; the later item should, however, be very trifling, aa the direct advantages which would be conferred by a railway passing through these districts Bhould be sufficient to induce the proprietors to grant the land required on the most f.iTOiablo terms, if not absolutely free; and with reference to this, I would suggest, that a conditional agreement as to the terms on which the land will be given should bo entered into before proceeding with any negotiations for carrying out the undertaking. The working expenses would, to a certain extent, depend upon the amount of traffic, and the number and speed of the trains run, but assuming that a service ot two trains each way per day would be sufficient, the cost of maintenance and working expenses should amount to about L250 per mile per annum. At this rate tho working expenses of the section be* twoen Oamaru and Moeraki would amount to L7000 per annum. I have not alluded in the foregoing reports to the relative merits ot the ports of Oamaru and Moeraki ; nor has tho expense of improving either, or both of them, been mcluded in the estimates given, although a considerable sum would undoubtedly bo required for that purpose before railway traffic could be properly and economically conducted at them, but have preferred to send in a separate report on that part of the subject, as I did not consider it advisable to complicate the consideration of the railway scheme with any question of rivalry between those ports ; believing that the railway would still bo found of great benefit and advantage, although both Oamaru and Moeraki were as good harbors as their most enthusiastic supporters could desire. — I have, &c. T. Paterson.

A complimentary farewell address has been presented by the people of Iiawke's Bay to His Exoellency the Governor.