THE OAMARU-NASEBY RAILWAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1100, 28 October 1879, Page 2

THE OAMARU-NASEBY RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE OAMAKU MAIL. Silt, —I have to thank you for the full report given of the proceedings at the meeting of the Oamaru-Naseby Railway Committee in your issue of yesterday, but will ask you to correct two inaccuracies, for oue of which I think your importer is responsible, and for the other I myself am. As regards the first, lam made to speak of passengers by rail " reaching the Lakes from Oamaru by a journey of 40 miles." What I meant to say, and think I did say, was that " passengers proceeding to tho Lakes could reach a point on tho way, distant 40 miles from Oamaru (on tho Kyeburn Flat), to reach which point by way of Dimedin would involve a journey of at lease 140 miles." As regards the secoml, I find I was in error in stating that Messrs. Thornton and Bull's estimate of cost was based upon a calculation which allowed for a tunnel of two miles in length, their report being to tho effect that vuo milo of tunnelling would be necessary, but on tho other hand it has frequently been asserted by the opponents of the projected liuo that twu miles of tunnel would bo required, and it was to this objection my remarks pointed.— I am, &c., Wm. J, Steward. — TO THE EDITOR OJ? THE OAMARU MAIL. Silt, —No doubt the able manner in which you reviewed Mr. Blair's work on "The Building Materials of Otago" in your issue of last evening will find favor in the sight of Oamaru residents. You will therefore pardon me for vonturing to hint that even you display an "imperfect knowledge" of facts when referring to Oamaru stone being at Quoenstown. As I resided in that district for some time, perhaps a few remarks from me on the subject may bo of value. Oamaru stone was used for ornamental purposes in one or two buildings in that town, but it did not withstand the ell'ecLsof the. severe frosU experienced in that mountainous region, This was more especially noticeable in tho monumental stones in use at tho cemetery, which, being situated on a "rise," j is ihe more exposed to the deterioratin. j effects of the atmosphere. The stouo found on the shores of Lake Wakatip ia of a very different nature. It is as hard as granite, extremely difficult to work, and, when dressed, takes a polish equal to marble. The elements have no cll'ecf whatever upon this stone, which, aa it becomes better known, is the more extensively used.—l am, &c.,

C. S. M. Oamaru, 28th October.