CHILI AND ITS RAILWAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 27

CHILI AND ITS RAILWAYS.

A CHAT WITH A VISITOR.

During the last month or so Mr Enrique Styles, one of the principal officers of the Chilian Railway department, ha 3 been on a. visit to New Zealand for the purpose of making himself acquainted with the workings and details of the New Zealand Railway depai tment. Mr Stylos— or, as he prefers to bo called, Don Enrique — i? full of information and a keen obseiver of all that is goins on. He has returned to Port Chalmers on a brief visit to his parents (who are both living) and family, aiter an absence of 35 years, and is now in the colony on a missioi* from his department to make s» thorough inspection of the New Zealand railways. On his arnval at Port Cholmeif* he was interviewed by our representative there, and, after a brief conversation, promised at a later date to talk over Chilian matters m tcresting to each with him. Mr St/les has since that date visited his relatives, many oB whom are in Southland, and returned to Port Chalmei-3 on Sunday. He left by Monday's express for Lyttelton and Wellington, from which port he proceeds by the R.M.S. Wakanui en route for Chili, via. Monte Video.

In reply to a question, Mr Styles said he arrived in the colony a few weeks ago, after an absence of 36 years, during which period he had resided in Chili. Having heaid there glowing accounts of the successful ni3nagement of the colonial i ail ways, it was thought that fome useful infoimation might be gathered from the colonies, more especially New Zealand. The Chilian Government therefore despatched him to the colony to inspect the railways and to pny special attention to the matter of rolling stock. So for ps he had gone, it would be premature to express a decided opinion, owing to the dissimilar circumstances of New Zealand and Chili. He thinks, however, that it would be very difiicult for Chili to adopt on the whole thY New Zealand syftem. Nevertheless, ho ha« observed seveial things which it will be. profitable to. engraft on the Chilian method of working. Ti:ere arc m Chili fully 2000 miles cf working lailv.ays, and, like all other progressive, countries, each year increases the mileage. The art? of Chili in lound i.umleis is just; nron 300,000 square miles, and its population is nearly 3.000.000. The population of Santiago vvn«" about 250,000, and that of Val-pj..M-o owr 200,000. Unfoitunately, revolutions wcie r?thor frequent so far as South Amenta as a whole vva? concerned. A glai oft at t'le map would show that South America, consisted of several Republics which should not he confound*. d one with the other. During his residence in Chili he had witnessed only ont> levoluticn — that cf the yoir 1891— which taught the people «uch a lesson that he is sure they will find a bettev method of settling their disputes us. future. He believes Chili to be the mcob advanced, self-respecting, independent, aivd industrious of all the South American Republics, and he was proud to say they considered the-mselves the Enolnh of South America. The chief products for expon con sist of nitrate of soda, copper, silver, manganese ore, barley, wheat, flour, wine?, etc. Mr Styles think? there is a possibility of ODeninp, a trade between Chili and New Zealand. He firm'.y believes a large and profitable, market awaits development for New Zealand moat, dairy produce, hams and bi.rou, also for Westport coal. On the other hand, ho had learned tha<- New Zealand imports large quantities of fertilisers every yeav; therefore Chili could supply the colony with nitrate of soda, which is extensively used for agricultural purposes, also with wines of fh-t-ela=« quality, and perhaps tanning barks, etc , which 'vould serve as let-am freights. Chili at present supplied its own necessities as far as it could, but al high rale*. There wa-* no trade at pi cent. in°frozen meat, it never having be=n introduced, but largo quantities.^ of coal were imported from New South Wale=.

Asked his opinion of Dunedin and district to day compared to what it was when ho left it 36 year, ac;o. Mr Styles said the development and piogress were something m«r\ellovs. He did not recognise the place, at all Railways and tiamways were not .spoken ot when he left. The settlement of the land impie=sed h'm as being most sncco-=-ful, and fiom what he had >-een and heard he vva- persuaded the New Zealand system of land settlement was a model vorthy of adoption by any Government. Mr Stvle^'s commission does not extend beyond raihiny matters, but naturally .he keeps his eves und ears open to pick up any item of useful information that may be ot service toh.i Government on his return to Chili What ha, struck our victor very foicibly i- the general contentment and seeming prosperity of the people A- an llhntration, he mentioned that a few days after his arrival in. New Zealand he wa^ fortunate enough to witness m Invercargill a large gathering of people awaiting the airival of the Indian, troops A moie ie«r,cctable, orderly, and! healthy ae»emblage it" had not been hie lob to be amongst. All had the appeaiance of being happy, as if they had not a care in the world It w.ib most gratifying to him, and had made an indelible impression on his mind. He t hone lit New Zealand >u» "re of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Retaining to railway matters, Mr Styles the New Zcalaiul rolling stock compared very iavourably indeed m everyllua' but speed with Chili The gauge was dilfcrent. In Chili they had a 4it 6ui gauge. Tho New Zealand lf'lway* appsaiel to be suponor m haulage power. The Nf\\ Zealand railway authontic« did not ambiticiT- to vie with the Yankee 0 m run it us; at 20 milo an hour ; but they got there all

the same with very long train«, which he thought paid the best. After some further conversation the interview terminated.