The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-11

WHAT ARE THE BRITISH DoMo?- RAILROADS m
THE PRoyINCEs.-The st. Lawrence and Allan
tic Railroad Company have made their eli ghth
annual report, from which it appears that on the
Canada side of the line. from Montreal to Port
land, the portion in actual operation is ninety
six miles; the distance from its present termi-
nus at Sherbrooke to the provincial boundary
is thirty-one miles; and. from that point to
Island Pond, in the State of Vermont, it is six
teen miles, which win be constructed by the
Montreal company.
The Portland company have had their trains
running for some time to Northumberland, on
the Connecticut river; and the remaining dis
lance to Island Pond which route has been's
lected to secure the traffic of the Connecticut
valley northward, is under contract to be COM
pleted this winter The entire line between Port
land and Montreal. it is expected, will be in
operation by the first Of July next.
| The cost of the railroad from Montreal TO
Island Pond is estimated at s4,55l,3 1888. Cars
have been running during the last three months
to Sherbrooke, and during the preceding nine
months two-thirds Of that distance. One half of
/
by provincial guarantee bonds, on the part of
the Canadian cover nment. which have been ne,
| g0tiated in England, to the extent of 81, 000,-
900. A distinct loan of $3.50, O0O for the Island
Pond section, has also been negotiated in that
country, at seven per cent interest; and the
President of the company is at present in Lon
don. for the purpose Of disposing of the balance
of the provincial bonds amounting to 1887 $50.
The. local traffic on this road has exceeded
the most sansuine expectations that were
formed The gross..receipts for the year, arising
| from nine months use of seventy-two miles Of
road to Richmond, and three months use of
ninety-six miles to Sherbrooke, furnish an ave
rage gross return of $2.240 from each mile per
annum. The transportation Of firewood and
sawn lumber is proceeding on an extensive
scale, and it is found that squared timber can
be advantageously brought forward by the road
for export to the United States, and large
quantity is being prepared with this object.
Slate quarries have been extensively opened, and
slaves. oars and handspikes are being manufac-
tured for market, a branch line having been
commenced between Point Levi, opposite Que
bee. and Richmoni
The object ofEthe projectors Of this road was
to supply the Eastern States and the British
provinces with the produce of the West; and
companies have been formed in Maine and
New Brunswick to extend the line to St.
John, for which purpose the provincial aid
has been literally granted, while the assistance
of Congress has been sought in this country. 1t
is also proposed to erect bridge across the st.
Lawrence at Montreal. to connect with the main
trunk line on the north side of that river, which
the government! in,en1 constructing. extending
westw:rl. This bridge, however, will not be
required until that is completed. which it will
require probably six or eight weeks to accom-
plish. Meantime, produce may be shipped on
Lakes Michigan and Erie, sent through the
Welland canal, and landed at the terminus OPP
posite Montreal, where extensive storehousef
are in course of erection. The British govern
ment have adopted Portland as the winter re-
sort for the Canadian steamers. which will COM
mence running to Quebec and Montreal early
in the spring.
The Nova Scotia government are about to
contract for line of railroad extending from
the harbor of Halifax to the Bay Verte, in the
Straits of Northumberland opposite Prince Ed
ward Island, on-Ithe route to Quebec also, q
line branching off at distance of twenty miles
from that city. tx ending to WINS r, and thence
to Victoria Beach, on the Rsy OF Fundy, oppo-
site st. John; and another branch line to the
harbor of Pictou. An English house has ten
dered to complete these lines. at an average OF
$20,s0O per mile. The Portland line to New
Brunswick. after passing through st. John, will
connect with the Halifax Inc at Bay Verte
and it is contemplated to extend it to the Miri-
michi river.
At the other extremity the Cana dian gcv2rn-
ment intend opening railroad from Qie5ec o
the River de Loup-about ninety miles below
that city, on the south side ofthe St. Lawrence
and contemplate extending it to the boundary
line at the Bay of Cha.eur in the expectation
that the British government will construct
line on the intermediate d stance between that
point and Mirimichi river. In the western part
Of the province, railroads have been commenced
to connect Detroit with Lake Ontario, at Hamil-
ton and Lake Erie, In tn, vicinity of the Falls
VI INiaBara uiEO loTOHtO WIN OeOrS gan bay.
at the head Of Lake Hur, n to connect ty steam
boat with Lake Superior.
In all these enterprises, it will be perceived
there is lamentable want of energy and
pubic spirit on the part of the inhabitants O.
the Irov'nces. as they are principally under
taken by the different local governments; and
W ere compan'e s have Teen formed, they depend
upon raising funds. by the sale of debentures in
England, at six and seven per cent interest.
WEEKLY LINE TO CALIfORSIA.-It will be seen
by the advertisement, that the United States and
Pacific steamship. Companies Lave literally met the
public desire for increased mail and other ia little,
between New York and San Francisco When the
John J.. Stephens, belonging to the Pacific Company
on her voyage around the Horn, shall reach Pa