RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11841, 3 May 1909, Page 2

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

UNNECESSARY LINES/

During the Southern tout' of the limber Commission; tho members travelled from Christchurch to Broken River, and thence proceeded by cpach along the route of the Midland railway, through the Otira Gorge to Greymouth, returning via Reefton, Bull er Gorge, Murchison, and Nelson. The Commissioners thus had a good 7 opportunity -of * seeing the country through \ which the Midland railway 'passes. Said an M.P., a member, of the Commission, to a New Zealand Times reporter:- —

l.yJxk view of what I have seen of the nature ofthe country at Broken River, the routes of lines under construction, and projectetd lines, aud having regard to the fact that a number- of lines > m other parts, of the Dominion 'areo not completed, .while others are being urged, it woulttv be, I am satisfied, with the limited amount of money at Parliament's disposal, . m tne best interests of the Dominion if a statement were prepared by the most qualified engineering ex perts, and submitted to Parliament, showing the- cost of each line. Such statement should also show the anticipated revenue from each line when constructed. If this were done, the people of the Dominion and their representatives, " sinking all parochial feelings, wouldj I believe^ see that it is m the best interests of the country to, concentrate all efforts oh those lines whiph expert find impartial opinion showed would be profitable works for the Government to carry, out. It would certainly liave the effect of saving, m connection, with some of the lines, thousands of pounds. ,> '..■:';*" ,7 "Referring to the country between Iliangahtta and Murchison, jt is not of such character as' would maintain anything but a sparse population for the greater imrt of the, distance. An excel-, lent road already traverses the country, while the engineering difficulties* arc-ex-ceedingly groat. In regard .to the Mid., land railway, the .country through which it passes, as well as the great engineering difficulties, to be encountered, excited surprise amongst members of the Commission at its ever being undertaken and at the Dominion being committed to such a tremendous expense — for instance, one tunnel Arthur's Pass, will oost £600,0C0.<