West Coast Railway Extension.

In view of the goldmining activities on the West Coast of the Province, the Superintendent (Mr. Samuel Bealey) in addressing the Provincial Council on 21st November, 1865, stated that in anticipation of the extension of the Railway system to the West Coast, he has temporarily reserved land for lines in that direction. In January, 1867, the Council approved a resolution that in order to provide a more rapid and easy mode of communication between the East and West Coasts, the Superintendent offers a moderate rate of interest to induce contractors and others to undertake the construction and due working of a railway from Christchurch to Hokitika. The Council undertook to indemnify the Superintendent to not exceeding £5,000 in furtherance of this resolution. When opening the next session of the 7th June. 1867, the Superintendent (Mr. Sefton Moorhouse) stated that in accordance with the resolution passed last session, he had caused to be made a reconnaissance survey of the country through which the line to the West Coast should be carried, and had the gratification of informing the Council that he was advised that a perfectly practicable line could be made commencing at Horsley Down. The distance to Hokitika was about 100 miles and the estimated cost of the line, exclusive of rolling stock, would be at the rate of about £6,000 per mile. He added that though at present the undertaking may be far beyond the means at their disposal, yet the information and knowledge of the country obtained during the survey would not only have an important present value, but would be of the greatest utility in the future when the natural development of the resources of the Province warranted procedure with the work.

This terminated the project for the time, and the Council rescinded its resolution regarding the guarantee of interest on construction.

On the West Coast some small sections of tramway were constructed in connection with the development of the gold fields, such as Hokitika to Kanieri, Hokitika to Stafford, and Greymouth towards the Teremakau River, later extended to Kurnara.) These were private or company ventures and served these districts well in the absence of roads which would have been very costly to make and maintain.