Victorian Railway.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5338, 16 August 1895, Page 1

Victorian Railway.

[Special to Pbbss Association/] MELBOUKNE, August 16. The annual tenders for the coal supply of the Victorian railways, amounting to 220,600 tons, have been invited. Excepting 60,000 tons, the balance of an agreement with Newcastle companies, Victorian coal is asked for. The Standing Committee appointed to inquire into the narrow-gauge railwaysyatem is sitting. The Edgineer-in-Chief, the Engineer of Existing Lineß and Professor Kernofc, an engineering expert, are all adverse to the system, and, in their evidence, said that although the initial cost of the narrow-gauge was leae, the aggregate coat would be greater than that of the broad-gauge system. The latter could be constructed at so Bmall additional cost that it would be a mistake to break the present gauge to secure a small economy. The narrow system might be less costly at first, but as the country developed the broad would certainly be more profitable. The economy in connection with .the narrow gauge was not so muoh due to the gauge as to the lighter rolling stock and permanent ways. They advocated that the present lines should be extended in the shape of light lines, but that the gauge should not be broken.