North Otago Times THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1877.

North Otago Times, Volume 155, Issue XXVI, 12 April 1877, Page 2

North Otago Times THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1877.

Wr direofc attention to a carefully writton nrtio'o which we reprint in another column from the " Mount Ida Chroniolo " of the sth inst., and which treats of a matter in whioh the whole of this district is intimately interested, viz., the extension of the Oamaru-Waiareka Rail, way via Livingstone and the Pass to the Kyeburn. That railway communication with the interior must bt provided, and that before long, there can be no shadow of doubt, and we feel asiured that a

gr«at interior railway wOwld yitld returns fully iwi good, if not bettor, than those of any of the line* yet undertaken. It would be the mean* also of opening up a large area of valuable agricultural land, and would thus largely extend settlement, while to Oitmaru it would give a great push ahead, inasmuch m this port would necessarily become the outlot of the produce raised in the interior, and the town the commercial head-quarters for a widely extended district. Fortunately for Oamaru, her interests in this case do not clash with any other powerful interest, and it is equally fortunate that it happens that a shorter mileage requires to be constructed to tap the Interior by an extension of the Waiareka Branch line as it is termed than by any other route. The distance from the Kyeburn to the present terminus of that line is only 25 miles, a considerably 'shorter distance than would have to be made to take a line into the main trunk via Shag Valley ; and as we are informed that the engineering difficulties are not by any means serious, it would seem that the work is one which need not involve any unusually heavy outlay. What difficulties have to be encountered are pointed out, and dealt with in our contemporary's article, and are only inch as must be met with in taking a line inland, in any direotion. The matter is one which should be heartily supported here, and should form the subject of united and earnest effort. We do not suppose that the General Assembly will be particularly nnxiojs to sanction the construction of new lines of railway, but nevertheless it would be anything but a prudent policy to determine that no railway whatever, in addition to those at present authorised, should be undertaken. There are cases in which extension of lines is an absolute necessity, as being the most certain method of making existing lines pay by bringing traffic into and over them, and the one under notice is certainly one of these. We would recommend that the matter be brought before the Government and the House of Representatives by memorials from all the districts interested, and baoked up by all such information as is necessary to enable the Government and the House to arrive at a correot judgment thereon ; and further* that the members for Oamaru and Mount Ida should be requested to do their utmost next session to seoure that at loiut * survey for a line of railway by the route proposed may be made at the earliest possible date.

Wau'aki County CoUNOii,.—Tlie OounJy Counoil moeti to^ky, nt noon, at the Hond Board Ofßoef, Tjno itreet.

MtmroiPAr, Counoit,. — The uiunl fort nightly tnputiriff of the Council Uk«i pi toe this evening, »t 7.15 o'olook.

Oamabu Stbkplrohaik Club. — A general meeting of this Club it cailnd for Monday evening, at 8 o'clook, at the Empire Hotel.

Thb Voujnterkb. — The monthly impeolion parade of tlio Hend-quartor* Coinpanifi it Appointed for to-morrow evening, *r> liulfpn»t 7 o'olook.

CoNORBT AT PAPAKAIO.-— A COtlO^rfc, fO be followed by a dance, it nnnouncnr] to b» giren in aid nf the 8011001 Fundi, in t\\% Popakuio Solioolbouie, on Thuridaj next, 19th mat.

Thk Qvkin'i HoTßt.— Wo note (hat great itnproTatnents lihto just been completed at (hit hotel, tlie entrance pstinge having been widened, a new mid hnncUomo ■tnircnio erected, and tho lighting of the rnomi in the bftok pnrt of the building great I j improved. Ihe front part lms nlio bo entirely r«noTntod.

Railway Tivrtablk.— Oortain nltrrntion* in tbo limot of running train* on the \fnin North Lino, find tho Wuimate Brnnob, oomo into oporntion to-dny. The 665 a.m. from Onrnnru rum to Timaru only. A through (rain to Ohrittolmroh Itnrei Oamtiru *t 9.45 Tho twin from W«iinHt« Junction for Wsimate, hitherto' leaving At 18 88 p.m., will litre ftt 11.40 am, md that hitheito leayinrf Wuimtile for VVnimato Juiution, (it 12 8 p.m., will ltave at 11.10 a m