vm 



of the working of the Dundas light line. 

 Considering the rough nature of 

 the country on the West Coast, 

 it might be fairly conceded that 

 in other parts of the country a 

 2ft. 6in. gauge light line (which he most 

 favoured), might be constructed at about 

 ^2,000 per mile. Such lines would be very 

 useful in serving country districts; a 

 light or narrow-gauge line would pay in- 

 terest on capital, whilst a standard-gauge 

 line would never pay expenses. Adjacent 

 land benefiting by a light line, and in- 

 creased in value, should be assessed ac- 

 cordingly to assist in paying for the same. 

 A light 2ft. 6in. gauge railway would be 

 a great boon in bringing about better com- 

 munication between the East Coast and 

 the capital. 



Hon. A. Murray, M. Inst. C.E., M.L.C. 

 (Surveyor-General of the Straits Settle- 

 ments), made some observations on the 

 paper read by the Bishop of Tas- 

 mania, especially in regard to the natives 

 of Ceylon and the ruins of the ancient 

 cities, and Tanks, of Anuradhapura and 

 Pollonarua, in the North Central Pro- 

 vince, where a teeming population on e' 

 existed, but which had disappeared owing 

 to hostile incursions of the Tamils from 

 Southern India, who drove the Singhalese 

 from their homes and fields, and destroy- 

 ed their magnificent network of irriga- 

 tion reservoirs or tanks. Mr. Murray also 



spoke of the great benefit light railways 

 would be to the colony, if more generally 

 availed of, and he had been over every 

 part of it. Tasmania, from what he had 

 observed, had reason to be proud of her 

 railways, and their management. (Ap- 

 plause.) Notwithstanding the annual 

 losses sustained in the working of some of 

 the lines, he believed they would ulti- 

 mately prove to be a splendid asset a« the 

 country became more opened up and settl- 

 ed upon. Mr. Moore had stated that the 

 narrow gauge line from Williamsford to 

 Zeehan had only cost ,£2.800 a mile. Here 

 was a line that in 1899 earned approxi- 

 mately ^6,000. Out of this c£4,000 went 

 for working expenses, leaving a profit of 

 ^2,000, or about 3.20 per cent, on the 

 capital expended in construction. That 

 was a very satisfactory result, reflecting 

 credit on the able General Manager and 

 his staff. He expressed regret at having 

 to leave the colony, which he admired so 

 mu^ch, and where he had been so very 

 kindly treated. He hoped to return to it 

 some day. He wished the colony every 

 success. (Hearty applause.) 



Votes of thanks to the readers of the 

 papers concluded the meeting. 



Mr. Nat. Oldham rendered valuable as- 

 sistance in manipulating the lantern ■'/or 

 the exhibition of me slides. 



