Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-09-03
RAILROAD FROM CurcAeo TO HAL1rAx.-We


Dune, of the adoption, by the Canadian Legisla-
ture, of the Government resolutions for con-
structing as Government work, grand trunk
line of railway from Halifax, Nova Scotia, 10
Hamilton, Canada West, where its connection
with the Great Western line will extend the
work westward to the Canada boundary oppo-
site Detroit. This line of road in conjunction
with the Michigan Central Railroad, will open
to our city another direct communication with
the Atlantic seaboard, and for that reason It's
success becomes matter of much interest to
our citizens. From the N. Y. Tribune we OBJ
tain the following facts in relation to its pros
poets, as given by the Toronto correspondent Of
that paper:
The distance from Halifax to Hamilton is "
239 miles and the cost is estimated at S34, $780,
900. The cost Of the different sections of the
line will vary considerably. From Halifax TO
Quebec, distance Of 6S6 miles, the estimated
cost is $4,000 mile the New Brunswick Sec
ton, 200 miles, $4,000 mile; from Weborne
to Quebec, 95 miles, $4,000 a mile and from
Montreal TO Hamilton 500, 900 mile. The i'm
peral guarantee has not yet been obtained for
any other portion of the line than that from Hal
flax to Quebec; but it is expected that il will
be obtained for E7,OOO,OOO sterling, within a.
bout half million of the estimated cost of the
entire line. The imperial guarantee enables us
to borrow at 81 per cent, which gives us a de-
cided advantage over all private railway compa-
MES on the Continent. The Canada share of
the cost will be about ST. 100000. In addition
to this Canada and New Brunswick grant 10.
miles of land on each side of portion of the
line. The amount to be granted by the two
provinces, is estimated at 100000 acres, vau-
ed at $3QOO,O0O. The long section of the line
between Quebec and Halifax, is to be made on
the joint account and at the mutual risk of the
three provinces of Canada, New Brunswick and
Nova scotia On the payment of the debt con-
tracted on the joint account Of these Provinces,
each Province is to own the line within its own
limits. The other section Of the line, from Que
bee to Hamilton, Canada is to construct at her
own cost and risk; and New Brunswick is to
construct the Portland line at her own risk, and
with money which she hopes to obtain from the
British Government. At the last session of the
New Brunswick Legislature, that Province rcfu-
sed to cooperate with the other Provinces in
the construction of the line from Halifax to
Quebec but since then the Executive Govern
ment Of that Province has agreed to cooperate
on the terms stated, and to submit the scheme
to Parliament for its adoption next session.
The Executive Of Nova Scotia has resolved to
appeal to the people in support Of the scheme,
for which purpose general election will take
place as soon as convenient. No doubt all three
provinces will support this grand project; the
required capital to carry it out will be forthcom-
ing, at a low interest, under the imperial guar
antee, and the work will be constructed.
Whether this great trunk line will pay the in
terest on the capital is q question for these Prov
nces. If it does not at first and directly yield
the interest on the outlay, the Provinces will be
compensated for their expenditure in making up
the deficit by the increased value Of the public
domain and the facilities that will be afforded for
settlement. Whether this line will divert n
large share of the passenger traffic from the N.
York route, is question peculiarly interesting
to Americans. That it will be much used by
ordinary emigrants seems doubtful. If the pas
sage by railroad from Halifax to Detroit is to
cost, as has been stated, $40 then it is clear
that emgrants for the far west, will seek anoth-
er route.