THIS WESTERN RAILWAYS.

Western Star, Issue 352, 26 May 1880, Page 3

THIS WESTERN RAILWAYS.

To the Editor of the '_' Morning Hera'd."

Sib,—l see by your Monday's isssue, copied from the "Western Star,"'that the first section of the Eiverton and Orepuki Railway in all probability wilPbe finished in about six "months': time. The public, as far as Dunedin is concerned, are still in the dark, I. believe, like myself, as to the extent 1 -of, this important work already performed. I think the public/would be pleased if you could ascertain what remains to be finished irrespective of the few chains already .announced. I,remember well to have heard and read a great deal about the "Western railways six or seven years ago, when first brought before the late Provincial Council by tho member for Eiverton, Mr Theopilas Daniel, as to the great benefits that the people of Dunedin would derive by the said line, as well as Southland, owing to the unexplored gold regions in the Waiau district. But I fear that the goldfield is somewhat like Mr Daniel's and the Orepuki railway—-only to suit the " Times." Yet I have no doubt, if Mr Daniel had continued to be the member for the district, the railway would have been finished long ago, which, in his opinion, .was to supply the Dunedin market with fresh fish daily—l mean six days in' the Week, as. I believe Mr Daniel would not include Sunday. However, I fear under existing circumstances, if people will believe current reports, the Orepuki railway, as well as other branches iu the South, will have but a poor chance nowadays, owing to their foster-parent being driven from office ; at all events the people of Eiverton have no reason to grumble about their railways. Whether finished or not, they have cost more money —if current report speak true—than any other railways of the same nature and magnitude in jNew Zealand; but such were the doings cf Provincial Governments and party interest at the expense of others.

Those railways, although omitted, like many other matters of importance "beyond that of self-interest" by Caj>tain Barry in his book of travels, had a curious history from their commencement, inasmuch as they have been the progeny and the last shaking of Provincialism ; therefore, perhaps, they were of no iuterest to the much great lecturer while treading his native heath ; otherwise, no doubt Her Majesty the Queen and her Ministers' attention would have been drawn to those prodigal undertakings being thrown into the lap of the Colonial Government, There has been more noise and trouble over the so-called Western Eailways, I believe than any other railways" in New Zealand. Wherever I go south of the Clutha, if the word railway is mentioned, the argument ends with the Eiverton Eailways. In fact it ought to be called the Great Western terminus. I am half inclined to think that one of the oldest if not the richest, of Southern squatters was right when he asserted a tew years ago that he would prefer to hear the bullock bell than

the engine bell here. This may sound strange iu the ears of townspeople; nevertheless, it was the saying of a very shrewd politician. Yes; people were better off in many respects before they ever saw railways. The farmer got value for his labour, as grain was used instead of Newcastle coal to convey his produce to market. Besides, wages were not reduced to a point of starvation.—l am, &c, Squatter.