[Continuation of Article on Railway Development]

This Railway can easily be shown on broader and safer grounds than any which could be deduced from the actual communication now going on between Invercargill and Campbell-town.

The line will not depend on any mere local trade between these places, but the traffic on it will vary with the rise of the whole commerce of Southland.

The vast plain lying between the lofty mountains of the West Coast and the ranges of the Molyneux, and extending to the Lakes Wakatipu, Manawapouri and Te Anau, is so situated that Invercargill must even be its only commercial centre, and the New River and the Bluff its ports for foreign commerce. It may be true, two other ports, one on each flank of the Province — Riverton and the mouth of the Mataura — and these will no doubt enjoy a considerable share of coasting traffic, and become the commercial centres of the districts which surround them, but neither can in any degree compete with the Ports of Invercargill and the Bluff for foreign commerce, but will rather be feeders of it. The whole foreign commerce therefore of the Province will pass on this line, connecting the ports with the town, except such portion of it as may continue to come up to Invercargill in small vessels and lighters.

The resources then of the whole Province, and the prosperity of its growing commerce, are the measures whereby to estimate the necessity for and the future activity of the Railway.

At the greatest of these there can be no manner of doubt, and the only question which can arise is one of time. Is it well to construct it now, or should it be delayed until the commerce shall have already arrived at such a pitch that it cannot get on without it?

But the progression is so rapid that before the Railway can be completed that time will have arrived, if indeed it has not come already; one went that of stone both for the roads and for building purposes, which cannot be supplied at a reasonable rate except by this line, is greatly most pressing, and the deficiency of means of bringing up goods and passengers from Campbelltown is beginning an intolerable grievance, and is beyond question now seriously cramping the trade and population of the Province.

If moreover it be admitted that the Railway is an ultimate necessity, then the sooner the Colony has the benefit of it the better. In any case, such a work must be executed with borrowed capital; and the Crown Lands must be the chief security of the loan; but there is always likely to be a time when large portions they will be hereafter. When these portions will have been sold, if ever then that the requisite capital can be obtained now as well as at any future period, and if so, it is surely desirable that it should immediately be invested in an undertaking in which it could fructify so greatly, and be certain not only to realise a great direct return but also to advance every interest in the Colony, and expedite the development of its unrivalled resources.

I have the honour to be,

Your most obedient Servant,

THEO. HEALY,
Chief Surveyor.

His Honor the Superintendent,
Southland.

ESTIMATES

No. 1.— PERMANENT WAY, per Mile.

Rails, 75 lbs. per yard, say 120 tons at £12 delivered ... £1440 0 0
Chairs, 30 tons, at £7 ... 210 0 0
Fish Plates, bolts, &c. ... 100 0 0
Keys, spikes, felts, &c. ... 90 0 0
Sleepers, 1300, at 5s., say ... 320 0 0
Laying, at 2s. ... 130 0 0
Ballasting, say 4000 yards, at 2s. 6d. ... 500 0 0
Fencing, equal to 1¼ mile, per mile run ... 150 0 0

Per mile ... £3000 0 0

No. 2.— ROLLING STOCK.

2 Locomotives, complete. (Hawthorn & Co.’s pattern engine and tender in one, @ £1700) ... £3400 4 0
7 Passenger carriages, at £400 ... 2800 0 0
2 Break vans, at £300 ... 600 0 0
30 Truck, various, average £150 ... 4500 0 0
Tools, duplicates, &c. ... 1000 0 0

£12,300 0 0