RAILWAY EXTENSION. 881 



would not be applicable to the standard gauge line when constructed ; 

 nevertheless, an existing narrow gauge line ut the same level as 

 the proposed standard gauge line would reduce enormously the 

 cost of its construction. 



Another very ini])ortant consideration in the comparative merits 

 of the two gauges is, that the narrow gauge might he constructed 

 in a third of the time which would be required for the construction 

 of the standard gauge. 



Whilst in the present undeveloped state of the Western mineral 

 fields the advisability of constructing the standard line of the 

 colony might be matter of grave doubt, a nari-ow gauge line, 

 constructed for 30 per cent, of the cost, and within 30 per oent. 

 of the time of the former, even although traversing manv miles 

 of non-producing country, will no doubt in a few years make a 

 handsome return to the promoters by the development of existing 

 and new mineral fields, of which there is at present great expecta- 

 tions, and also would develop the existing cattle traffic and open 

 the large tract of grazing land lying between the Forth and 

 Mersey, and create a market for the prolific agricultural district of 

 which Deloraiiie is the centre, and, further, open up scenery of 

 the finest description, hitherto unknown to tourists and others. 



I have, &c. 



The Engineer-in- Chief. Allan Stewart. 



Mole Creek-Zeehan Proposed Railway. 

 Narrow Gauge. 



Hobart, October 20th, 1891. 

 Sir, 



I have the honor to supplement my previous report on a portion 

 of the line from 14 miles to 15^, by stating that, having gone into 

 the next mile and a half in the same manner, I find that it will be 

 affected even more favourably, not only as regards cuttings and 

 embankments and culverts, but a tunnel 154 yards long on the 

 line as set out will be entirely avoided by the substitution of 2|- 

 chain curves for 5-chain curves. 



I have, &c. 



The Engineer-in- Chief. Allan Stewart. 



It may be deemed desirable here to emphasize two or three 

 of the points in the Report just read, viz., that in laying out 

 all projected narrow gauge railways, the setting out of the 

 line (which indeed in evei*y case is the most important part of 

 the engineer's work) should in the first instance be laid out, 

 as at present, for the standard gauge railway, from which 



