PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 93 
being adopted and had ordered rolling stock accordingly. 
Soit remained. In 1857 Mr. John Whitton then Hngineer- 
in-Chief tried to induce the Government to alter the small 
length of line then made to that previously agreed to, 
namely, 5 feet 3 inches, but he failed to convince the 
Government of the wisdom of doing so. 
There is no doubt that sooner or later the difficulties of 
unification will have to be faced. With the present time- 
tables the break of gauge is not a very serious matter for 
passengers by the express to Melbourne, and the greatest 
inconvenience is felt at Albury, when on the journey to 
Melbourne they have in winter to rise at an inconveni- 
ently early hour and on the journey in the opposite direc- 
tion to wait up till near midnight before they can get to 
bed. Were there no break of gauge, passengers could 
wait to have breakfast at Benalla, and on the return 
journey could turn in about that point. It would also be 
possible to run through-trains at other times of the day. 
For instance it would be possible to arrange for an express 
to leave Sydney about 5 p.m. arriving in Melbourne at or | 
before 10 a.m. next morning, which would suit business 
people very well. At present this cannot conveniently be 
done, as the time for passing Albury would be about 5 a.m. 
It is most desirable that the inconvenience of the break 
between Sydney and Melbourne be abolished, and this can 
be effected or at least an amelioration found in various ways: 
1. Lay down a separate line on the 4 feet 84 inch gauge 
between Wodonga and Melbourne, by which the Sydney 
trains could run right through. This would be a perfectly 
effective proposal if room can be found at the stations en 
route. 
2. Lay down a separate 4 feet 8} inch line to Benalla 
only, and make that the changing station. This would get 
rid of the inconvenience of the present express timetable, 
