CHEAP RAILWAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 920, 17 July 1869, Page 8

CHEAP RAILWAYS.

Some interesting particulars regarding cheap railways were given at a recent meeting of the Railway Construction Committee, held in Melbourne. Mr Lloyd, agent for Mr Page, gave » description of that gentleman's patent, and explained its adaptability for branch lines. The estimated cost of construction, without rolling stock, would be about L2OOO per mile, and carriages could be so constructed as to run both on the present rails and the new line. Mr Griffin, the engineer to the Ballarat Shire Council, who had. had some connexion with the Great Wi stern line, and had also been connected with railways in Turkey, said that the Varna line, wbioh was on an incline of one inforfcy-two, cost butLsooo per mile, including rolling stock and stations. Fifty pound rails were used, and the engines weighed thirty tons. Mr Thomson, who had been employed on some of tho Scottish lines — though not as *n engineer— stated that a Fife line, upon which there was a heavy coal traffic, was originally constructed for L 5200 per mile. It had since been improved out of the profits, whioh have averaged twelve and a half per cent, per annum. Mr Clapp was examined as to his knowledge of the American ra lway system. He said that nearly all lines in the United States were single lines, although provision was made for their tmng eventually made double. The rails varied from 4510 to 60lb, and were spiked to tho sleepers, the ends, however, resting in chairs, and no one joint being opposite another. Tho engines, as a rule, did not exoeed thirty tons in weight. The sleepers were of chestnut wood, and when dressod with coal tar, lasted about seven years. The ballast generally used was gravel, bluentone being far too dear. The sneed attained was about the same as in Victoria, but tho express trains travelled at the rate of forfcy miles an hour. There was less shaking in the American car* than in the colonial. This was in consequence of their greater length, and the difference in construction. Accidents chiefly arose from collisions, caused by so many lines crossing oaoh othor. The groat cost of maintaining tho American lines arose from the hoary frosts and rapid thaws. There was three times as much trafno on lorae of the American single lines as on the Sandhurst and many doublo lines. Light engines were usod 'or express and light goods trains. Mr Collier, the lato contractor for the Eohuoa line, estimated tho oost of that line— fifty -three miles —at about 1.300,000, and said he considered no lighter ono should be constructed for a main trunk lino.

In urging tho ncoetsity for a dissolution, the Cantorbury Press remarks :-Carlyle, In his history of tho French Revolution, d«•oribos a cartoon that appeared in Pans whan tho Btat«s General were summoned, representing ama» surrounded by poultry, and addressing them j thus :-" My^ dear creatures, I have called you tox ether to ask with what sauoo I shall eat you." To whioh » park youag cook MW"»g, J «} wo don't want to be oaten," is checked with tho reply, "You are wandering from the point." That Is vory much the situation of th« Middle Island *ttbis moment The representatives of the South are summoned to the Aisembly to be oonnulfced as to whafc additional funds oan b« »qn*o««l oat of tho Island for the protoojation of the war. Any objection that we woold rather not bo •queened at all is set aside as *"*»•»*»*. That is wandering from th« point Tht Middle Island has to *•• eaten ; th« only oholo* allows is is, whether It shall U tsmd upd fa Stafford or d la Fox.