THE GORE KELSO RAILWAY. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1500, 14 August 1880, Page 19

THE GORE KELSO RAILWAY. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— l doubt not but that the Royal Commissioners have learnt something about railways in their travels. Some of their recommendations are in the right direction. It must be admitted by any person who is conversant with the management of railways that there must be a radical change in the management of the New Zealand railways before they can or will pay, as they are not now worked so as to accommodate any one except perhaps a few officers. If the railways in each province or Island were in the hands of companies, and managed by men of business, then there would be a radical change for the better, and a tariff would no doubt be adopted suitable to each district, thereby causing farming to pay in localities where now it will not do so. This applies to passengers as well as to produce and live stock. Tho greater the station, the more change is required. A great deal of the information obtained by the Commission must have been obtained from wholly unreliable sources. In the matter of the Gorc-Kelso line, they must have gathered their information from some interested parties in regard to its necessity and probability of its paying. I notice that they report the Waikaka township within eight miles of the Waimea railway, and 10 or 12 from the main line. lam much inclined to ask them how long their miles are, for if I mietake not Waikaka is 18 to

20 miles from the main line, and the Waimea line is wholly inaccessible on account of hills, and not much nearer, unless in the way the crow flies ; and then by going over the Black Hill it might be intersected within perhaps 15 miles ; but I do not expect that the Government would subsidise a balloon to go over tho hills. This, Ido contend, is one of the finest districts in Otago, as well as one of the thickest settled, ami has requirements which a sparsely inhabited and barren wilderness has not. At presont we are aware that grumbling will be of little use, as the Goverment chest is empty— aye, worse than empty— and stuck fast in the mud with the bottom gone. But I hope there are statesmen in New Zealand who will come to tho front to extricate us from our sinking condition, politically and financially.— l am, &c,