G.— ENGINEERING. 1 ^^ 



an early decision should be arrived at with regard to the rout© of the 

 transcontinental line, and that the work of construction should be 

 immediately started. Mr. Hobler's scheme seems to satisfy all re- 

 quirements and to involve the least capital expenditure and the least 

 probable annual charge upon the Exchequer. 



With regard to the unification of gauges, I think this work should 

 be postponed, except in regard to two improvements which might be 

 carried out at moderate expense. These improvements are the con- 

 struction of a 4 ft. 8i in. gauge direct line from Port Augusta to Salis- 

 bury. The southern half of this line is already constructed, or is being 

 constructed, on the 5 ft. 3 in. gauge, and this portion could easily be con- 

 verted to a 4 ft. 8h in. gauge. The line from Salisbuiy through Adelaide 

 and Melbourne to Albuiy should be maintained as it is on a 6 ft. 3 in. 

 gauge. The second improvement would be the completion of the New 

 South "Wales coastal line from West Maitland to Richmond Gap ; not 

 veiy much work is required upon this, and the line is on the 4 ft. 8^ in. 

 gauge. A comparatively short new south line on this gauge from 

 Brisbane to Richmond Gap would give an uninterrupted 4 ft. 8^ in. 

 gauge line from Albury to Brisbane. If these two improvements were 

 made there would be a quite appreciable shortening of the total railway 

 mileage between Brisbane and Fremantle, and there would be only 

 three stations on the route of 3,356 miles of track where passengers 

 would have to change trains — viz., Albury, Salisbury, and Coolgardie. 



In this question of the unification of gauges British engineers might 

 help their brethren in Australia by devoting serious attention to the 

 problem of devising adequate mechanical means of coping with the diffi- 

 culties brought about by break of gauge. If the loading and unloading 

 of trucks at each break-of -gauge station could be obviated, the question 

 of break of gauge would be a very unimportant one. As regards 

 passenger traffic, it is not an important problem ; it is only when heavy 

 goods traffic has to be dealt with that the problem becomes a serious 

 one from the point of view of working expenses and rates for transport 

 of goods. 



