XVI 



reported that a route between Mount Humboldt and the navigable part 

 of the Gordon was impracticable, that applied to the south side of the 

 river, the connection being blocked by the Franklin and Wilmot ranges, 

 which attained a maximum height of 3,245ft. above sea level ; but 

 Mr. Innes believed it was possible to obtain a passable track by keeping 

 to the south of Mount Wedge, passing through the Huon plains, and 

 round the south end of the Franklin range, bearing thence to the 

 lower Gordon. This route was not looked upon with favour generally, 

 though it would have its advantages. Much of the criticism on Mr, 

 lanes' action had been made without due consideration of the difficulties 

 he had to encounter. The Government had undertaken to explore 

 both the Gordon and Rasselas routes during the summer, as far as 

 tracks were concerned, and that should afford satisfaction to those 

 interested. It was an interesting question whether the track south of 

 Mount Wedge, suggested by Mr. Innes, should be made open to traffic, 

 and so bring the Huon district in connection with the West Coast. 

 The cutting of tracks in the manner indicated would not cost very 

 much, and was exceedingly desirable. He next referred to routes 

 north of the Gordon and Gould's explorations and routes, which 

 went through mineral country. 



Hon. B S. Bird approved of the suggestion made that the country 

 unexplored should be opened by tracks of some kind not for trade only, 

 but what was even more important, for prospectors to traverse, for 

 after them would come trade. He expected to see Port Davey yet 

 made the main port of the West Coast. It would be a grand natural 

 harbour with railway communication between the metropolis and the 

 West Coast. 



Mr. Howard Wright thought that one wise course would be to 

 open up the upper Dawson's- road from the Florentine, which would 

 take prospectors to the Gordon Bend. There was no reason why traffic 

 should not be facilitated to pass that way in a month or two, and with 

 stores at Huntley. He thought it would be better than wasting money 

 over a track from Tyenna to the head waters of the Gordon. 



Mr. R. M. Johnston explained his reasons for favouring a Huon route. 

 He agreed with Mr. Wright that bases of operations would have to be 

 established. He believed there was a great area of country yet un- 

 explored which was highly auriferous. 



Mr. Palmer, C.E. (Victoria), who had recently come through to 

 Hobart from Lyell by the Linda route, strongly recommended the 

 establishment of depots along a route as it was being cut. As to a 

 railway, there were no serious ecgineering difficulties. There would 

 be no extreme grades. The greatest difficulty was to get through the 

 timber. The greater engineering difficulties could easily be got over by 

 an electric railway. Grades inaccessible by ordinary locomotives were 

 easily surmounted by electric trains with very considerable power. 

 This had been amply proved on the Canadian Pacific Railway where it 

 crossed the Rocky Mountaine. There the locomotive train was left, and 

 an electrical train substituted for 34 miles. The greatest engineering 

 difficulty would be at a point near West Mount Field, where there was 

 a very steep gradient. The country possessed any quantity of water 

 power. That was one great advantage in the whole region. If a 

 million horse power were required it could be got. 



Hon. Henry Dobson dwelt on the importance of providing the West 

 Coast routes to Hobart in a thoroughly practical but inexpensive 

 manner. He did not quite agree with Mr. Biid that a route via Huon- 

 ville was the best. It must go north of Huonville. Every pound 

 spent in this way, so far, had been justified by enormous developments. 

 He advocated the formation of a Council of Mines to act independently 

 of party. 



