2

D.—2

The settlers in the Mount Somers District have the impression that they have a prior claim to the extension being carried into the centre of their district because, as they assert, the original agitation, which promoted the undertaking of the existing line so far as it goes, was by and for them and their district, and that the first proposed route, selected in compliance with their requisition, was through what is called the " Eorks of the Ashburton," and more or less into the centre of their district; that, against their inclination, when the line came to be constructed it was diverted to its present site on the south bank of the river; and they ask, if any money remains of that voted for this line, that it be expended in bringing the line back into their district. They urge that the quality of the land, and the extent to which it is settled and cultivated, are such as to offer better prospects of remunerative traffic than any other proposed extension. The Ashburton Railway Extension Committee, in the interest of Ashburton Town, support the Mount Somers District in urging the extension of the line in the direction of Bowyer's Creek, on the ground that a considerable traffic in produce, passengers, timber, and mineral which at present exists between Ashburton and the district in question will be benefited and increased by the extension which they advocate. Both of these parties wish to strengthen their arguments by representing that the extension which they wish for would form part of the central Canterbury railAvay which they say is projected by the public works policy. Erom the evidence of the Hon. Mr. Peter it appears that the Rakaia-Ash-burton Eorks Railway Company originally projected their line as far as Gough's Crossing, but on construction it was terminated at Methven. Ido not agree with the opinion of Mr. Peter that the Methven line should be extended in preference to the extension of the Tinwald branch to Bowyer's Creek: on goods destined for Christchurch there would be a saving of five miles or more from the centre of Mount Somers District by way of Methven and Rakaia, but at the same time the large and increasing traffic between Mount Somers District and the Town of Ashburton would be placed at a great disadvantage if it was to be carried round by Methven to Ashburton. I did not succeed in ascertaining clearly the objects sought by those who advocated the extension of the line up the south side of the river towards the Ashburton Gorge, especially as only three persons out of twenty-five who signed a petition in 1882 praying for this extension could derive any benefit from it, and one of these three, the Hon. Mr. Peter, expressly stated to the Commission that he did not advocate any further extension of the line in any direction. This extension is out of the way, and practically inaccessible to the lands owned by the other parties to this petition, the outlet for which is towards the Station of Westerfield. The districts which are affected by this railway are, first, the Mount Somers District, and second, the Epper Hinds and Rangitata. The first comprises about 43,000 acres of good land, also a tract of forest, and several deposits of coal and limestone. It has a population of 500 people, there are two schools, with 110 children attending them, and there appears to be a prospect of the number of settlers continually increasing. The Epper Hinds and Rangitata District has also a very considerable area of good land, said to be about 65,000 acres; but a few owners hold large blocks of it, and there are very few settlers, and not much cultivation. Ido not think that an extension of the line carried from the present terminus towards the Upper Hinds is the proper direction to serve this district effectually. Therefore the consideration of the subject is limited to the two alternatives of either extending it up the south branch towards the gorge of the Ashburton, or taking it over the river into the Mount Somers District. I agree with the evidence and statements of Messrs. Peter, Walker, Ivess, and others, that no good purpose would be served by extending the line towards the Gorge, the chief use of which would be to facilitate the carriage of coal from the deposits near Stone Creek, and limestone from quarries near the Gorge: any extension in this direction leads into rough country which cannot be cultivated and is almost inaccessible to roads from either side. There would