The Argus at KellyGang 18/1/1870
ROAD FROM WODONGA TO ALBURY
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS
Sir,-This road, only two miles in length, forms a portion of the principal main road of these colonies, as connecting the two capitals of Melbourne and Sydney? It is now between two and three years since the bridges on the Wodonga flat were washed away by the great Murray flood of 1867, and by reason of which the passage is at all times rendered both difficult and dangerous; and when there is a freshet in the river it becomes absolutely impassable, except by means of boats. Nothing has yet been done by the Government for the repair of this road, and it would be admitted by anyone who has seen it as a disgrace to a civilised community. A sum of £10,000 has at length been voted for its repair, but unless prompt measures are adopted for the expenditure of the money, it is greatly to be feared that another winter will be allowed to pass before the necessary works are completed. Such an event would be absolutely disastrous to the interests of the border population, and certainly most prejudicial to those of the colony generally.
It is with some misgiving we have observed that, at the instigation of interested parties, a motion was carried in the Legislative Assembly favourable to the extension of a line of rails from the Wodonga terminus of the North-eastern Railway to the bank of the river Murray. Those who voted in favour of such a measure could not have understood the bearings of the subject. There are several objections to this which do not appear to have been noticed, and to which I may be permitted to refer.
1. It would probably cause a great delay in the execution of the works, rendering necessary a now system of levels.
2. It would enormously enhance the cost of the work without presenting any corresponding advantage to the Government or to the public, for there would not be secured thereby one additional ton of goods for the railway or one extra passenger.
3. It would necessitate the construction of a second station within a distance of two miles from the terminus, and as this would have to be constructed on ground liable to inundation, it would of necessity be very costly.
"4. If the object be to carry the rails across the River Murray, the difficulties to be encountered would be very great, as a new bridge would have to be constructed over that river at a cost of not less than £30,000, while the station would be thus placed entirely out of the control of this Government.
5. The proposal to carry a line of rails along a road laid down for ordinary traffic, and on which that traffic will certainly be very considerable, as in the present case, is highly objectionable, and one which I should think would be hardly entertained by the authorities. The liability to accident would be frightfully great.
6. Such a course would be seriously detrimental to vested local interests, as in the event of this extension being carried out, the proposed terminus at Wodonga would be no terminus at all. Albury would then be the terminus. But I cannot suppose for a moment that the Government can fail to perceive the importance of planting the terminus of this railway on Victorian territory, for otherwise they would not only be ignoring the interests of those residents on this side of the boundary who have invested their capital in its soil, but, as it appears to me, they would be unduly sacrificing the interests of tho colony at large; tor it must be evident that the establishment of this terminus, unless nullified by the proposed extension, will greatly enhance the value of the public domain for many miles round, and also tend to attract a large and flourishing population. Here we have one of the finest agricultural districts in the colony - nearly all virgin soil - and only waiting to be opened up.
7. The connecting of the railway with the river navigation was one of the reasons advanced for carrying on the line. But every one possessed of any local knowledge will at once perceive that this is merely a myth. The river about Albury is unnavigable, and no one would send produce up tho liver, as they could transport it more cheaply by way of Howlong or Corowa to Chiltern or Wangaratta. So soon as we get this railway up, it is quite certain that the river navigation between Wahgunyah and Albury will cease.
8. It will probably be at least 10 or 12 years before the Sydney lines are extended to Albury, and even when that is brought about there will be no special advantage in tho connecting of the two railway systems, because the gauges of the colonies are different, and therefore there must be a re-loading of goods intended for the through traffic; and as the distance would not probably exceed two and a half miles, it does not appear that any very serious impediment would be occasioned thereby, beyond what would otherwise be incident to a change of gauge
9. If a good and substantial metalled road be formed to connect the Wodonga terminus with the town of Albury, the distance is not such as to cause any extraordinary inconvenience to the residents and merchants of the latter town, for it will not be greater than the distance now traversed by a large proportion of the population, both of Melbourne and Sydney, to their respective termini.
10. The project, if carried out, would cause a feeling of great hostility, which would, I think, be injurious to the peace of the community. For it would be viewed, practically as an act of injustice, and virtually as a breach of faith; therefore, on these grounds, I beg to enter a protest against the extension.
I am, Sir, you most obedient servant,
CE.
Jan, 7.
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