OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 9, 25 June 1886, Page 15

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY.

In the Chamber of Commerce here, there was a debate yesterday in reference to the completion of this railway, so we learn from this morning's paper. We have not read the report of this debate ; and we have purposely abstained from doing so in order that we may g-ive our own views upon the subject, unbiassed by the arguments of the speakers for or against its completion. We do this because we think we have sufficient knowledge of the country through which it is to pass, and of the capabilities of that country to enable us to form a sound judgment upon the subject. The country is well known to us ; we have travelled through it leisurely again and again; know its people; know its resources and capabilities. It is now many years since we formed for the first time a decided opinion on these points, and came to the conclusion that long ago this railway should have been made, and the land of the interior of Otago settled. Indeed, in our opinion, it is not quite certain if this line should not have been the first that should have been built in this province. The interior of Otago is rich in resources and capabilities of every sort. It abounds in minerals, and has immense agricultural and grazing resources. Good land abounds, gold is to be found almost everywhere, and no better country can be found for sheep and cattle. The climate is excellent, genial, bracing, with a clear sky and exhilarating atmosphere. The country possesses all the elements of prosperity and only wants two things — plenty cf people upon the land, and an easy mode of access to markets. A little wi- dom and enterprise on the part of Government, in promoting st ttleruent and pushing on the Otago Central Railway, would make cential

Otago one of the most flourishing districts of the entire Colony. As to the railway paying,vre affirm co lfidently that if the Government would now take measures to put people upon the land on reasonable terms, and give people confidence that a bona fide effort would be made to finish the road in a reasonable time, no doubts could be entertained as to its paying capabilities! Even now, were the road finished, it is probable that something ha ldsoi^e, over and abuve working expenses, would be realised. This is the opinion whicii experience has enabled us to form, and which is with us an old opinion. Can all the opponents of this line say that they are thoroughly acquainted with the country through which the Central Otago is to run ? If not, such persons ought to be silent under the circumstances.