28 November 1872

I had long interviews the following day with the Govt. Ministers, and the Mr Whittage the Chief Engineer in company with Mr Higgins, the Contractor, who made part of the zig-zag over the Blue Mountains;- and also visited the PS “Paterson” recently bought for New Zealand service. The revenue of this Colony has increased £500,000 in the last year, - and the Government are contracting for large extensions in Railway and other Works to develop the mines and mineral fields. Two hundred miles of Railways will be open for tender within 3 months from this date. The celebrated zig-zag passes over a height of 3,700 feet which is ascended at a grade of 1 in 40.