76 



On the line selected for the [no. 5, new series, 



villages. On this vast expanse of country, large towns are few 

 and far between, and the population scantier and more scattered. 



According to our last half-yearly return, the average distance 

 travelled on a line 65 miles in length was 38 miles ; what will it 

 be when we have it complete 450 miles ? I have no doubt that the 

 average will be above 30, even though the fares should be reduced, 

 as I trust they will. 



That the line should pass 2J or 3 miles from Wallajahnug- 

 gur and 4 from Vellore does not, in my opinion, affect the traffic 

 coming from those towns in the slightest degree. It may, but it is 

 a question whether it does affect even the traffic between those 

 two particular places. This depends on the fares also. A man 

 can travel, even at the present high rates, cheaper and quicker by 

 rail between those two towns than he can by the high road. All 

 other traffic from them to any point on the line 10 miles and up- 

 wards, from each of their respective stations, would take to the rail. 



But, is the short and insignificant passenger traffic, between 

 those two towns, sufficient inducement to change the course of the 

 line of Railway, and adopt one less beneficial to the districts at 

 large, a worse and more expensive line, crossing the Palar at a much 

 more inconvenient place, and cutting up a large amount of valua- 

 ble land on the right bank of that river ? I think not. 



These towns do not in the least degree resemble the large towns 

 of England. They possess not one element of permanency. These 

 the only two of any considerable size along the line, owe their 

 existence to causes that may cease at a moment, and will cease ere 

 long. 



In an agricultural country like this, the large towns are chiefly 

 local market towns, or emporia of agricultural commerce. They 

 are singularly uniform in size and importance ; sacred temples, the 

 contiguity of Civil and Military stations, being the circumstances 

 that generally give one such town importance over another. 



Take Veilore the largest town on the line of Hail. It owes its 

 present extent wholly to three causes. It is a local agricultural 

 mart, a Military station, and it is a rendezvous for a great portion 

 of the traffic from the inland districts en-route for the coast. 



