CO882-(4-5) — Page 19

138

15. Looking, therefore, on the one hand, to the importance of this subject, and its bearing on the financial condition of the Colony, and, on the other hand, to the strong opinion expressed in favour of this extension, which, as I have before said, I fully recognize, I have thought it desirable, before arriving at a final decision upon the subject to restate to you the difficulties which weigh with me, as they did with my predecessors, and to request to be favoured with any further observations which you may have to offer; and I would especially desire your attention to the question raised in the 10th paragraph of this despatch.

I have, &c.

Sir A. Gordon.

(Signed)

H. T. HOLLAND.

139

Sir HENRY HOLLAND.-The question of rates over the Government line would have to be carefully considered; and while I am unable at present to give any pledge as to the basis on which they would be calculated, I may say that the Government would, in the event of steps being taken to form a company, be ready to make such liberal arrange- ments as are possible, consistently with the condition laid down by my predecessor, that adequate precautions should be taken for protecting the Government railway system.

No. 33.

The RIGHT HON. SIB H. T. HOLLAND, BART., G.C.M.G., M.P., to GOVERNOR THE HON. SIR A. H. GORDON, G.C.M.G.

SIB,

No. 282.

Downing Street, August 30, 1887.

In my Despatch, No. 281, of this day's date,* on the subject of railway extension to Haputale, I did not allude to Mr. Prestage's scheme for the construction of a 2 ft. 6 in. gauge line from Nanu Oya to Badulla, thinking it would be more convenient to separate it from the general question of railway extension.

2. I now have to inform you, in answer to your Despatch, No. 194, of the 13th of May, that the scheme in question has been referred to the Consulting Engineer, as you' suggested, for an expression of his opinion upon it.

3. I take this opportunity of enclosing, for your perusal, a copy of a lettert from Mr. Brown, the Managing Director of the Uvah Coffee Company, pointing out the necessity, in the event of any extension being undertaken, of carrying the line as far as Badulla.

Sir A. Gordon.

I have, &c.

(Signed) H. T. HOLLAND.

GENTLEMEN,

No. 35.

COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS.

SIR Henry Holland directs me to enclose, for the consideration of the Consulting

Downing Street, August 30, 1887. Engineer, and also for any observations you may yourselves have to offer, a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Ceylon, enclosing a proposal made by Mr. Prestage to the Ceylon Government for the construction of a 2 ft. 6 in. gauge railway from Ñanu Oya to Badulla, and also copy of a lettert from Mr. Prestage himself.

The Secretary of State would be glad to learn your views and those of Sir C. Gregory

as soon as convenient.

The Crown Agents.

SIR,

1

No. 36.

I am, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 34.

The RIGHT HON. SIR H. T. HOLLAND, BART., G.C.M.G., M.P., to GOVERNOR THE HON. SIR A. H. GORDON, G.C.M.G.

(No. 283.)

'SIR,

Downing Street, August 30, 1887.

WITH reference to my Despatches, No. 281 and No. 282, of this day's date,§ I have the honour to enclose copy of a question which was asked in the House of Commons on the 8th inst., as to carrying on the railway from Nanu Oya to Haputale by a private company.

2. I shall be glad to know how far, in the event of a company being formed for the purpose of the extension, you consider that the Government could make favourable arrangements for the carriage of their traffic over the main line.

Sir A. Gordon.

I have, &c. (Signed) H. T. HOLLAND.

COLONIAL OFFICE to JOHN BROWN, Esq.

Downing Street, August 30, 1887.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform you that he has had under his most careful consideration the question of the extension of the Nanu Oya Railway, to which your letter of the 9th of June referred.‡

2. You are probably aware that Sir Henry Holland has had an interview with Mr. Christie, Chairman of the Ceylon Planters Association, on the subject, who pointed out that the planting interest in Uvah would not be satisfied until the line had been carried to Badulla.

3. Sir H. Holland has now referred the subject again to the Governor, forwarding also a copy of your letter; and he hardly thinks that any good would be gained by an interview until he hears again from Sir A. Gordon. If, however, you still think an interview advisable, he will be ready to make an appointment.

John Brown, Esq.

No. 37.

I

am,

&c.

(Signed)

JOHN BRAMSTON.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

LICO. 882

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Enclosure in No. 34.

RAILWAYS TO COLOMBO.

Mr. M. CAMERON asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with regard to the extension of railway from Nanu Oya to Haputale, whether, in the event of private individuals undertaking to complete the 25 miles of railway from Nanu Oya across the hill range to tap the Uva traffic to Haputale, Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to carry the traffic caught by the new line, at cost price, over the existing line to Colombo.

• No. 32.

↑ No. 30.

‡ No. 29.

§ No. 32 and 33.

SIR,

J. FERGUSON, Esq., to COLONIAL OFFICE.

THE great interest I have taken for many years in the subject of railway

Vichy, September 26, 1887. extension in Ceylon emboldens me to address you with reference to the information recently given in answer to questions put in the House of Commons.

I refer chiefly to the readiness of Government to allow the section of railway necdful to connect the rich province of Uva with the existing Ceylon system to be constructed and owned by a private company.

When, before the failure of coffee in the Dimbula district, a proposal of this kind was ventilated successively to two of your predecessors in office, it was very emphatically stated that no permission could be given to private individuals to interfere with a work which Lord Kimberley, especially, felt should be made and owned by the Ceylon Government as a necessary portion of the lines already opened.

• No. 80.

† No. 25A.

T 4

‡ No. 29.