ALEXANDRA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2665, 12 April 1905, Page 35

ALEXANDRA.

April 8. — Workmen on the earth formation of the railway are almost within sight of Alexandra, and, notwithstanding many broken promises from Ministers " of the Crown since the first sod was turned at "Wingatui, the same glacial rate of progress continues to the objective point, Clyde. However, as the people of the district have waited natiently to see their hopes of speedy communication with populous centres realised, their lewaid is £>ow looming in. the near futurej but 4 witii

a little push from the people against the Otfgo members of Parliament to induce them to prill more in unison, the time foi completion oi the hue to its objective could be l-Giisonably shortened. By tho city mem; beis, with the Otago Central members, exrfeismg a httie firm but judicious prcsstire on the Jfcton. the Minister of Public Works, the railway could be opened to Alexandra early in the summer of 1906. From the lailway bridge crossing the Manuherikia at Chatto Creek tha distance to Alexandra is about eight miles, and of that distance five miles couM be formed in about as many weeks. 'Ihe remaining three miles consist of one mile and a-half at each end of Galloway Flat. I must admit that those three mites are scmewhat rough and rocky, but, as there are no engineering difficulties to be overcome, by apportioning the work in sections to a greater number of men than is now on the line, the distance might easily be reduced to line formation in 12 months. There are now three gangs working on the Alexandra side of the Manorburn, and I learn that two more gangs are to join the three gangs on Monday. There will then bs 30 men on line formation below the Manovburn. I hear that there is a likelihood of the bridge near Alexandra being constructed as a combined railway and traffic bridge. If this be so— and from representations made to the Minister of Public Works I have every reason to believe that such is the case— a great boon will be conferred on the district and a much-needed convenience provided. I notice that one of the city members expresses himself averse to voting money to carry the railway beyond Clyde. In that respect, the voice of the people will be with him for a few years; but the line nrast eventually be carried on to Pembroke. In the meantime the people of this district trust that the city members will not forget the fact that we want water conservation and suitable land for settlement.

Water for Irrigation. — The question of conserving water for irrigation purposes is one for the Government to immediately enter upon by having a survey made of a dam site and an estimate of the cost of construction given. I learn that there is a capital site for a dam in the Fraser River, from which a sufficient supply of water could be obtained to irrigate the whole of the Earnscleugh Flat, as well as the Dunstan Flat. Even should the Government not realise one penny of direct income on the cost of dambuilding, indirectly it would be recouped over and over again. Such a work, on being gone on with now, would encourage our young people to take up land and make some preparation for tree-planting ; but as things are at present there is uo encouragement to do so.