A TRANS-CONTINENTAL RAILWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2546, 31 December 1902, Page 14

A TRANS-CONTINENTAL RAILWAY.

A despatch from Montreal, dated November 23, says that Canada is to have a second trims-continental railroad extending from ccoan to ocean. The announcement was made to-day by Mr Charles M. Hayes, second vice-president and general manager of the Grand Trunk Railway, that the construction will be begun as soon as -the necessary legislation can be obtained from the Canadian Parliament. The Grand ;Trunk will be behind the new road and operate it, but as in the case of the- Grand Trunk lines' west -of Detroit River, it -will be constructed under the separate corporate name of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad Company. The new road, according to v Mr Hayes, will have a mileage of about 3000, and the construction, including the equipment of stations, bridges, ships, and other facilities will involve an expenditure of from 75 to 100 million dollars. According to present arrangements the road will run through thatpart of Northern Ontario known, as New Ontario, starting from North Bay or Gravenshurst and extending through Manitoba, the North-west Territories, and British Columbia to Bute Inlet or Port Simpson (8.C.), as the latter may be determined upon. The line will be modern and up to date. "No one," says Mr Hayes, *' who has been studying the wonderful developments that have taken place in the Northwest during the past ■ few years can fail to be deeply impressed with the importance of that extensive and rich territory, and our directors feel that in -view of the apparent need of additional railway facilities, and in order to guarantee to the present jGrand Trunk system direct connection with, thatvery important and growing section of Canada, it can only be a wise policy to take active steps towards this extension." The building of this road has been under consideration by the Grand Trunk directorate for some time, but it was only during Mr Hayes's recent visit to England that it was decided to carry out the proposed scheme at as early a date as possible. Mr Hayes added that the line would probably be in full operation in five years, and thai; steamship lines on the Pacific would come as a necessary adjunct.