102 



2. " On the Mechanics and Mechanical Economy of Railways," by 

 G. M. BaiT. (See Transactions.) 



Mr. Bathgate, in opposition to the views enunciated in this paper, 

 advocated the construction of narrow gauge railways, lightly built, and 

 adapted to the natural features and sufficient for the traffic of this 

 country ; not a system of wide gauge railways, with deep cuttings and 

 tunnels, and heavy rolling stock. 



Mr. Blair said that the estimates of the Clutha line compared 

 favourably with the light lines which had been constructed in Queens- 

 land. The estimate of the proposed line was £15,000 more than the 

 average cost of the same length of the narrow gauge line in Queensland' 

 and the diiference was, he considered, so much laid out towards securing 

 the safety of those who would travel by it. 



Mr. Watt alkided to the success of the Dun Mountain Railway 

 whilst the ore was required, and said he would advocate light railways 

 and a narrow gauge. There was no use in having heavy engines and 

 heavy trucks pulling a little weight. 



Mr. Cargill participated in the feeling of dissatisfaction expressed by 

 Messrs. Bathgate and Watt at the statements set forth in the paper, 

 for, according to it, railways with the traffic here could not be worked 

 except at a loss. The engineers here shoiild study economy, and suit 

 the means to the end. 



Mr. Stout was understood to support the arguments set forth in the 

 paper. We might get a cheap railway, but it wovild ]iot eventually be 

 able to carry the traffic as the trade of the inland districts expanded. 



Mr. Wilding thought the only way to economize would be to have 

 the rails and rolling stock no heavier than would suffice to carry the 

 traffic, and as inexpensive as possible. The bridges and stations should 

 be cheap and unornamental, and constructed at the lowest possible 

 expense. 



Mr. Hawthorne did not think it fair to take the average cost per 

 mile of the Queensland railways as a standard of comparison, for they 

 were constructed over a country, part of which was remarkably 

 precipitous, and this had tended to raise considerably their average cost. 

 Railways had been constructed in some parts of the country at from 

 £6000 to £7000 per mile, and their cost had been increased by the 

 Government taking the initiative. But now, with the experience gained 

 there, he had heard that railways could be constructed for about £4000 

 per mile. Mr. Doyne, of Victoria, once the champion of the 4 ft. 8|^ in. 

 gauge, had, with others, since his visit to Queensland, expressed himself 



