IJO, SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1868.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 33, 20 June 1868, Page 2

IJO, SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1868.

Wic publish iv lottor this day from a corroapondont in Lyttolton, pointing out tho grout inconveniences and drawbacks under which tho railway traffic at proaont has to bo carried on in that port. Thoro can bo no doubt that our correspondent mukoß out a clear caHo against tlio Government. Nor do we suppose that tho latter would plead otherwise than in forma pauperis. Tho real dillieulty iv want oi monoy. Tho truth is that thero aro many othor requirements needed to turn out a railway completely lit for traillc, than at first eight appoar. Tho construe* tion ot tho lino and tho purchaso nnd laying down of the rail.* and rolling btook aro not nil that ib required by any moans. Station accommodation for passengers and gooda must always form a largo and ovor-incroaaing itom of expense. And this itom has boon vory much underrated in all the firot ostimatca of coat connected with this railway. ( Now that tlio Council ( ia about to jait again, and that thoro i» a pro»poot of tho oontraot botweon tho Qovoru* imont* and Messrs llolmos and 00. being brought to a conclusion, it would bo well that tho quo&tion Bhould bo considered with a viow to tho accommodation of publio interests. Hitherto tho vory mention of tho railway has Acted upon a considerable portion of the members muoh as tho flight of a rod rag dooa upon a vicious bull. Now that* wo have ttii Executive against whom it would be simply ridioulouo to bring ohargOß of complicity with tho railway contractors, it may uo hopod that rail, way matters will bo disouseod with souho and good tomper, Tho real quoution is, whothor tho province will furniah tho railways with sufficient accommodation to onable tho traffic to bo carried on at a proilt and with convonionco to tho publio, or whothor thoy will decline to do bo. In tho ono caso the country will roap the full advantago of tho large investment into which it haw entered, and in tho othor it will consont to sacrifico that profit. If tho railways aro mado lib to carry on tho trado whicli promisos ao largo an increase and Huoh considerable roturns, thon wo may oxpoct to roaliso an income of something liko -£20,000 a year from thorn, This will not, indeed, bo n vory high rato of intorost on tho monoy invostod, but takon in conjunction with tho immense advantages ttiTordod to tho export trado oi tho proYinco it must bo connidored nn a most satiafaotory roturn. But if the Council rofuaos to oxpond tho monoy necessary to render the railway fit for the traffic, thon it will bo thoir duty to soo whothor third parties cannot bo found willing to do the work for thorn, Either the lessees of tho railway, whoovor thoy may ultimately bo, will havo to provido tho necessary accommodation, for which thoy will havo to bo paid out of tho ront, or tho public, as in Christchurcli, can stop in and put up tho .nocossary buildings for tlio rccoption of goods,

It would probably bo cheaper iv tho ond for tno Govommonfc to comploto tho work, boforo inviting tenders to lease tho lino, hut if thia cannot bo done, then tho work must bo completed na boot it may. Wo Bhould rocommond tho morchnnts and trndcflmen of Lyttelton to ngrco upon what thoy want, and thon urgo thoir viewa upon tho Exocutivo, proviouely to tho mooting of tho Council.