KOADS AXIJ RAILWAYS. 53 



RKSULTS. 



Tlie financial collapse of tlie Newfoimdlaml Railway Company 

 was an unfortunate event, a.s the work of lailway construction 

 was tliereljy temporarily retarded, and more or less brought into 

 discredit. Had the constiuction been undertaken by a financi- 

 ally strong and ca])al)le company the line would have been 

 completed iu 1886 ; whereas only 83;^ uiiles, to Harbour Grace, 

 were then in a woiking condition. 



PLACKNTIA RAILWAY. 



In 1885 a change of Government took place and Sir Roliert 

 Thorliurn liecame Premier. Nothing daunted liy the previous 

 break-down, he and his colleagues in 188G commenced the con- 

 struction of a branch line, il miles in length, from Whitbourne 

 Junction to Pluceutia, the old French capital. It was completed 

 and opened in 18K8, and pioved to be a well-built line in every 

 rcs2)ect. l!y this luaucli line not only was the large and thriv- 

 ing population of I'lacentia Bay brought into more easy and 

 rapid connnunication with the cajiital, Imt for the people of 

 the whole southern and westei-n shores the travel-i'oute was 

 shortened and facilities of trade extended. By means of a 

 steamer plying on Placentia Bay, the various settlements around 

 its shores wei'e enabled to participate iu these advantages. Few 

 would now be found to deny that the Placentia Railway is 

 a highly beneficial ]»ublic work, and well worth all it cost 

 Moreover, the first 'se\en miles of the line fi-om Whitl)Ourne 

 were available as a portion of the Northern extension towards 

 Hall's l-]-iy, should that wi.irk lie resumed. Tiie great innovator 

 and ci\ili/.('r liad now got a firm footing in the island and tlie 

 benefits were so ajipai'ent that the work of railway-building was 

 sure to proceed, wliatever government held the reins. The large 

 sums distributed in tlie shape of wages among the labouring 

 classes, in connection with railway-l)uilding, ami the number of 

 engineers ami skilled mechanics and workmen employed, tended 

 to advance the general jirospcrity of the ]ieople. Tlic revenue 

 advanced iu proportion. 



