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THE GLENCOE RAILWAY.
OPENING CEREMONY.
Mount Gambier, August 22.
The opening of the Wandilo-Glencoe rail-
way was celebrated to-day in the presence
of a large gathering, including the Hon. J.
Vardon (Commissioner of Public Works),
the Hon. G. Riddoch. Mr. James. M.P., Mr.
Herbert, M.P., Mr. Livingston, M.P., Mr.
Senior, M.P., and also many of the prin-
cipal residents of Mount Gambier. A
special train conveyed the party over the
new line, and the running proved smooth
except towards the end, where the ballast-
ing has yet to be done.
Over 100 persons attended tbe banquet,
held m Mc Alexander Do-w's large shed
half a mile from the terminus. Mr. George
Bodey presided.
The Mayor of Mount Gambier 'Dr. Mc-
Donald) proposed the toast of "The Parlia-
ment." He mentioned that he was the
first white boy born at Glencoe, tberefore
he- felt", honored in being asked to propose
the toast. He considered that the Minis-
terial coalifioii, would result in beneficial
leg*iá!_±"on. ' >
Tlie Hon. J. Vardon, in replying, spoke at
length on the bistqry of the Glencoe Une,
and paid a tribute to the service rendered
by Mr. Livingston in getting the line passed
by Parliament.' "-'
The Hon-.Qj. Riddoch replied on behalf of
the Législative Council. He emphasised
the wisdom of farmers and producers guard-
ing their franchise and" privileges from the
encroachments of socialists.
Mr. livingston /strongly advocated a
change from the party system of govern-
ment in favor of elective administrators,
who would be permanent heads of 'depart-
ments, and would become thoroughly ac
quaintt-d with their duties.
Mr: Senior. Mr-- JamesJiahd Mr. Herbert
spoke." " i -,. ' ^ .' ^ "
Mr. Dow, on behalf of Glencoe residents,
presented Mr. George Bodey with an ad-
dress and travelling bag and rug in appre-
ciation of his valuable services in securing
the- line. . '. . . " l
Owing to tha limited time the proceed-
ings were then brought to a termination
to allow the party to catch they outgoing
train. . , ' '
History, of the Line.
The first goods traffic was carried ovei
the line last Friday. The railway is purelj
a line of accommodation for the far
mers on the Glencoe country, and has ;beei
built on the cheapest possible principles
By agreement with the Commissioner ol
Public Works, the resident farmers under
took to guarantee the interest (on the eba!
of the line should the revenue of the-rail-
way fall short of that sum. Should ¿berc
be any deficit the residents within a denned
area will be rated to make it up. By an-
other agreement,* embodied in the Act, pro-
ducers who use the line will pay 3/6 pet
ton from any, part of it to Wandilo.
Mr. Foster (late Commissioner of Public
Works) was hopeful, early in March-last,
that the line would be ready for traffic by
June 30, but\ goods were not carried over
any of it till August 10. The cessation o£
potato-carting from Glencoe, pending the
completion ot the railway (says the Border
Watch), was one of the potent factors
which resulted in the raising of the price
of potatoes from £l»to .£1 17/6 per ton.
It is probable the growers there will be
able to dispose of all their stock at the
increased pfice. N
Mr. Mann, the engineer who has had charge
of the work, says this is the cheapest'line
in Australia. It is on the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge,
and the cost of construction will pan out at
about ..-£1,200 a mile, exclusive of rolling
stock. The estimated ,cost was £13,500 for
the line and ¿4,000 for rolling stock. For
6*0 chains from Wandilo it has been fenced,
and again, when passing through freehold
property from Cram's tofthe terminus. The
remaining 5£ miles, through right-of-pur
chase leases, has not yet been fenced, and
to do, so would add £700 or £800 to the ex-
pense of the" line. The line unites with the
Mount Gambier and Narracoorte railway at
Wandilo, 8 miles north of Mount Gambier,
and runs thus nearly north-westerly for 9^
miles to the^ cheese factory, Glencoe.
Although there is a, gradual ascent from
Wandilo to Glencoe the greatest inclines
arje short pinches of 1 in 60, the severest
being at a point about 3 miles from the
junction. The cuttings and embankments
have, therefore, been neitner deep nor high.
A few culverts were necessary in crossing
verv low cduntrv.
Between Glencoe and Wandilo there will
be two sidings, possibly three. The Govern-
ment have laid one down at Cram's, IA
miles from the terminus. It has not yee
been named; the Government and residents
hesitate to give it such a name as Cram's,
and it is understood there is a euphonious
aboriginal name for the locality Which it
-will receive. At the request of many of the
residents who will be served by the line a
siding will be put down at the White Hawk
Lagoon,6 indes 50 chains from Wandilo. The
residents will do the earthwork' and providé
the sleepers at their own expense, and the
Pub-lie Works Department will provide
and lay- the rails, which will cost £80.
Another group of farmers are asking for a
Riding about 4J miles from Wandilo, on the
same terms as'that ia be provided at the
White Hawk» Lagoon: At the terminus a
box-office will be provided for the porter
in charge, and a weighbridge will be erect-
ed. Produce loaded at the other sidings
or at Wandilo, direct for Adelaide, wïU
have to be takeu 'back to the terminus to
be ,weighed, or carried forward to Wolse-
ley, and weighed there, a-» at' present; while
that for Beachport will be weighed at the
Mount, en route.
The work has been done by the Public
Works Department, by the petty contract
svstem, under the management of Mr.
Charles S. Mann, engineer. On parts of the
route the timber was somewhat dense, and
the clearing for the line was done by
Messrs. MacElroy Bros., of Penola. The
sleepers were supplied under different small
contracts by different people. Ten thous-
and were supplied by Messrs. Nèilson. of
Penola. These were of red gum all the
rest were of good quality stringybark, and
the line will afford a- test of the relative
durability of the timbers. The cuttings and
embankments were carried out under con-
tract by Mr. P, P. Hanley. The plate
laying was done bv men employed by the
Public Works Department; under the
superintendence of Mr. Mann. The rails
were secondhand, brought from the line be-
tween Gladstone and Petersburg, where
new rails have been placed. Their weight
is said to be 41 lb. to, the lineal yard.
Mr. Mann hopes to have everything com-
pleted by the end of the present month, and
to be in a position to hand the line over to
Mr. T. W. Stephen, the resident engineer
tor the southern lines, at Murray Bridge.
$