CONSTRUCTION OF BRANCH RAILWAYS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4027, 14 January 1875, Page 2

CONSTRUCTION OF BRANCH RAILWAYS.

We are pleased to see that the settlers in those districts which were deprived of branch railways by the action of the General Assembly last session are determined to put their shoulders to the wheel and construct the lines on their own account. One of the most iniDortant and promising of those braich railways was that proposed to be constructed between Outram and the Southern Trunk Railway Mr Jas. Shana, M.P.C.is taking active steps tofoim a company in the district for carrying out the work aud we have no doubt his well-known perseverance will i enable him to succeed in effecting his object A rneeti mg will shortly be held in the district f«r the purpose !of discussing the matter, aud we believe that if the settlers do not determine to carry out the work Mr Shaiid will do so himself. Another very important branch line is that proposed to he constructed from the main trunk line, about two miles north t.f the Clutha River, down to Kaitansata township, to be ultimately extended to Coul Point. Energetic efforts are being made to have this work proceeded with at once, and the line will probably be completed as far as Kaitingata township as soon as the Dune-din and Chitha Railway is open for traffic The first sod will be turned by the Hon. Major Richardson in the second week of February next. The line is to be made by a local company, and Mr Coyle C E is now engaged in taking levels and preparing plans' His Honor the Superintendent has been communicated with, and has promise 1 every assistance iv his power to the enterprise. Five promoters or directors have taken the work in liana, Mr A. J. Smyth bein" the Managing Director. There will be no difficulty in obtaining the land necessary for the line as the principal landowners in the district—Messrs Smith Bros., Pillaus, Maitland, M'Donald, Aiteheson Pa-*e Gilroy, and several other settlers have expressed their willingness to take an active part in the work, and where the line passes through Government land, it will be given gratis to the Company. The line will be five and a-half miles in length, and will join the main trunk line at the 48-mile peg. It will be of the same class, and equal in every respect to the mam trunk line. The promoters have alread\' secured all the sleepers required for the line and intend to send an order to Great Britain by the next mail for rails and a locomotive. It is proposed to work the line when finished with the Government rolling stock. It is reasonably anticipated that the gram and passenger traffic will render the line remunerative, exclusive of the large returns likely to be realised from the coal trade. The excellent coal found at Kaitangata is largely in demand in Tuapeka aud other up-country districts, and doubtless a large trade with Dunedin will oe established when railway communication is completed.