AUCKLAND AND DRURY RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 9, 3 December 1863, Page 4

AUCKLAND AND DRURY RAILWAY.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Heeaxb. Sir,—Ou Tuesday last, the bill to enable the Superintendent of this Province to take compulsory possession of land for the purpose- of constructing tho Auckland and Drury Railway, was read a second time in the House of Representatives, -when Mr. J. O'Neill reiterated some of the objections to that undertaking which lie lately raised against it in the Provincial Council. On this occasion, the hon. member " considered that £150,000 would be found not to bo half enough to complete the line." As this part of the subject is of primary importance, and as Mr. O'Neill's remarkfi seem to have had some weight with the hon. the Colonial Treasurer, who observed " that the House had not sufficient information before it to form an opinion ou the merits of tho bill," it behoves even- friend of the project to bring forward all the evidence in his possession to assist tho promoters in securing the necessary powers for its construction. I do not wish to impugn the sincerity of Mr. O'Neill's objections to the measure, but simply to apply thereto the fact of his inexperience of railway matters in order to reconcile the seeming conflict that exists between himself, as a northern representative, and his duly to the Province of Auckland, in aiding in the development of its resources. The hon. member's calculations relative to the cost of tho construction of the railway to Drury, 6ecm to bo based upon those earlier data which he mav have been conversant with prior to his arrival "in thiii Colony, and which appear to influence his opinion at the present moment; but it is well known to all those who have studied the railway Bystem durine the last few years, that important improvements have been introduced into it, by which great economy has been secured, not only in tho original cost of construction, but also in that of tho rolling stock, and permanent works. • According to 3Cr. G'NeilTa estimate, tho Auckland and Drury Railway will cost about £12,500 per mile, and that for a. line which will traverse a comparatively flat surface, for it cannot bo entertained for a moment that there aro any bond fide engineering difficulties to be met with between this City and Drury, or Onehunga. I will now bring to bear upon the subject of cost a very recent instance, which will be found noticed in the Illustrated London News that arrived here by the last mail. I refer to the opening of the Inverness and Perth Railway, a few months ago. That line is 25 miles in length, and commences at Forres, on the East Coast Railwaythence it proceeds to Morav, and Strathspay, and across the Grampion Hills, "following the course of the Garry, the Tummel, and the Tar, to Perth. Those who know that part of Scotland, will probably recognize the difficulties which were encountered by the engineer in that locality. Tho country through which this railway passes is peculiarly mountainous m its character;—shortly after leaving Forres, commences a Btcudy and severe ascent, which continues with little intermission for twenty miles. The lowest pass of the Mouagh Liagh range of lulls is here attained at an elevation of about 1100 feet above tho level of the sea. Near tho Demphail Station is a viaduct odO feet long, consisting of 7 splendid arches, each of 4a feet span, founded upon solid reck, and rising from the river to tho height of 103 feet. Immediately beyond it is another heavy cutting, 20 eet to 3o iect deep, whence 63,000 cubic yards of hard crystalline rock had to bo taken away. Tho gradient here uli„7oto lin 75. Tlie report goes on to state that " this line of railway, which actually scales the Grampian Hills, tho highest range in %™r? ' ■, becn milde at an expense of less than jUSOOO per mile." With all those expensive works, ana with all those real engineering difficulties to overcome, that railway was mude for £4500 per milless than Mr. O'Neill says the Drury line will cost! JM-cry friend to tho prosperity of Auckland will doubtless express a hope that, the select committee to whom the bill for the legal sanction of our railway has been referred by the House of Representatives", will not IS „orc the fact that engineering science and mechanical improvements have now placed it, beyond a doubt that the amount appropriated by the' Provincial Council of Auckland will be amplo for the proper completion of the whole of our line. I am, &c, u • . ~T „ Osmund Lewis. Prmceß-Btrcet, Nov. 30, 1863.