THE RAILWAYS. (Taranaki Herald.)

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 302, 18 April 1874, Page 2

THE RAILWAYS. (Taranaki Herald.)

It will bo if en from the cxtmcts from the Southern Cross and Waikato Times in our last issue, that Mr Carruthers, the Engineer-in-chief, has been inspecting the country south of Kangiriri to a point thirty miles south of Taupo, and finds the country favourable for the construction of a railway, and that forty miles of a rather more difficult country would connect it with the Taranaki lino. The route Mr CarruthcM traversed is not described, but if he penetrated the country thirty miles south of Taupo he must hare got so far south as Ruapehu, and as Mount Egmont is in nbout the game latitude, it is evident (if tbo Southern Cross i* correct) that Mr Carrutbcrs reached somu point of the country between tho=e two mountains. The Wanganui River lies about midway, draining the country between the table lands which dip towards Taupo and tho water shed which divides it from the tributaries of the Mokau River. It is probable that Mr Carruthers traversed the country at the head of the Mokau, aud crossed tho Wanganui in the vicinity of Tuh.ua and Puketnpu and to the westward of those mountains, and thence along the volley of tho Upper Wanganui nearly duo south. Up to this point the country would no doubt be ea 9y — here the difficulties would commence. What wo wish to obtain is an exploration of the country more to the westward, that is after passing the head of the Mokau, instead of crossing the Wanganui, to strike to the westward of south in almost a direct line for Mount Egmont, connecting with the Taranaki line on the eastern •ido along the table land which lies between the source of the rivers which flow into the sea north and south of Cape Egmont. For tome twenty miles from this side we have some knowledge of the country along this proposed route, and believe that a railway could be cheaply constructed along it, and thit the land is of such a rich character as to admirably adaot it for settlement. We also know from native report that beyond this point to where the country is well known on the Upper Mokau that the country is equally practicable and good for settlement. It has the further advantage of possessing mineral wealth. It would open up the Tuhua country, where gold is said to exist in payable quantities. It would tap a splendid coal field on the Mokau and Tongapurutu Rivers, and render accessible the beda of sparry limestone lying in its route. The only difficulty that we know of would be in finding a low summit level over tho Arawatu range, which travel ses the country from Mokau to the Rangitoto, north of Taupo ; but as this range is not of great elevation, it is probable that an easy grade would be | found over it. At any rate, it would bo more practicable than the ronte nearer the western side of Lake Taupo. There the Tuhua and Puketupa mountains interpose — difficulties that would not be easily overcome. Bearing in mind all the advantages likely to arise from the opening up of this fine district by a line of railway, we are surprised at the indifference manifested by the Provincial Council on the matter. It is not only to this province that such a line would be beneficial. It would be the means of opening up larg« tracts of land in the provinces of Auckland and Wellington, which, without it, would only be utilised as cattle and sheep runt. Unless prompt action is taken in exploring from this end, so as to give reliable information as to the nature of the country, there will be nothing but hearsay evidence to offer to the Government or the Assembly during tho next session of Parliament with respect to the relative advantages of this route. It is a most singular fact that there is a tract of country some sixty miles in length between the Wanganui and Waitara Rivers— in the heart of our province — of which nothing certain is known but "hat the natives tell us ; — not because the country is broken and impracticnble, but because of tbat easy indifference and want of enterprise which distinguishes both the Government and people of the province. Our knowledge of the Upper Mokau is chiefly derived from the observations made by Hochstetter during his flying visit to the district ; and now we are waiting with folded hands for the advent of some other visitor from the uttermost end of the earth to give us a knowledge of the country which we can any day see from end to end by ascending the Potiaiki ranges. Like the fabled wagoner, we are too much given to invoke the aid of Jupiter when we encounter obstacles to our progress. In this matter of •separation, we should do wisely if, instead of invoking outside aid, we at once put our shoulders to the wheel, and, at least, attempt to overcome the real or imaginary difficulty. If successful, the thing will be done before correspondence on the subject could be completed with the General Government or Provincial Government of Auckland. If native opposition arose, at any rate knowledge would be gained up to the point of interruption, and thus some progress made in the matter. As the Council has declined to take action, wo hope the Superintendent will act in this emergency with energy and decision, and take immediate step to acquire an authoritative knowledge of the country in the direction referred to ; by so doing he will not only greatly benefit the country, but will gain a rgputation for sagacity and promptitude of action which will deservedly render him the most popular man in the province.