The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-19
THE ROAD ACCEPTED.
Official Inspection Of New
Westminster Line.
TRAINS SOON TO RUN THROUGH.
British Columbia Omcisls Approve the
work-Jim Hin Coming Out
Blue Canyon Branch.

FArRHAvxx, April 1s.-Ispecial 1.-The New
Westminster Southern railroad was officially in
spected today by Civil Engineer ]. H. Gray, OF
Sicamoos, B. c., appointed for that purpose By
the minister of public works of British Column
bia. AtS:O O'Clock this morning special train
left here on the Fairhayen d Southern for Liver
pool, on the Fraser river, opposite New West
minister, having on board Fsirhaven & South
ern officials as follows: General Manager E.
N. Wilson. Chief Engineer J. J. Donovan, Secre-
tary +. L Cowgirl, Attorney II. Y. Thompson,
and Superintendent A. J. Borie. Assistant En-
gineer Root and wife, Contractor Mccoy and .
few other gentlemen were also on board The
run to Liverpool forty-seven miles, was made
in exactly two hours, including all stops and q
delay Of some minutes for water and on account
of hot boxes. considerable portion of the dis
lance between here aud Blaine was made at the
rate of sixty miles an hour.
At Liverpool the party was met by Examining
Engineer Gray, President Benjamin Douglas, of
the New Westminster Southern; Vice President
John Hendry, Secretary T. ]. Trapp, Colonial
Customs Inspector Clute, Contractor James
Leamy, and q few invited guests. The inspec-
tien to the boundary was then made, the train
running slowly 80 as 10 admit OF thorough ex-
animation. The party then proceeded to this
city, where the colonial officials and guests were
royalty entertained until p. m, when the train
again left for Liverpool A PosT-INTELLIGENcER
spoke in the highest terms of the road, and said
he was unable to discover any defect of sufi-
clent consequence to mention. He was partic-
ularly delighted with the directness of the route,
1t being almost an air line. The roadbed is
splendidiy ballasted, Chief Engineer Donovan
considering it the best job he has done during
ten years experience in directing such work.
There is no doubt that Mr.. Gray's report to the
minister of public works viii be favorable 1t
will be forwarded to him tomorrow, and his
formal acceptance of the road is expected day
or two later. One matter may possibly delay ac-
ceptance, though it is not considered probable.
That is q bill which was recently passed by the
colonial legislature, requiring railroads to fence
their tracks. 1t has not been approved by the
governor, and even ii ii is signed by him, it is
not thought it will affect this case farther than
to compel the Great Northern, which will soon
receive and operate the road, to fence the track
IS soon as possible, that being no part of the
contract of the Fairhaven & Southern company.
A little ballasting is yet to be done, but it is
stated that ali of the men will be withdrawn by
Wednesday or Thursday. Two customs offices
at Blaine, one on each side of the line, are ready
for occupancy. President Hill and Chief Engi-
neer Becker, OF the Great Northern. are ex-
pected here in few days. and it is expected
that they will then formally receive the road,
and direct the immediate commencement of y
regular service.
BLAINE, April 1S.-This was the day set by the
customs and railway inspectors to examine the
New Westminster Southern railroad between
Blaine and Liverpool. This morning the Fair
haven 6 Southern company sent special train
to Liverpool, opposite Westminster, to receive
the Canadian officials. The Dominion inspector
of railroads and the provincial customs inspec-
tor, together with officials of the New West
minister Southern and Fairhaven & Southern
railroad, ran over the line as far as Fairhaven
and returned to Liverpool this evening. The run
was made from Fairhaven to Blaine, thirty
miles, in forty minutes, from Blaine to Liver
pool, twenty-five miles, in fifty minutes. Do
minion Inspector Gray, when asked what his
judgment on the road was, answered: 'Of
course would rather reserve my official opinion
until prepare written report, but as for my
self, will say am more than satisfied. The
road comes far ahead of what expected. am
much pleased with it. The road will not be
opened clear through for traffic until the tele-
graph line is completed, which will be within q
few weeks"
NEW WESTMINSTER, April 1a-Tspecial l-E.
h. Becker chief engineer, and ]. ]. Donovan,
chief engineer Of the Fairhaven & Southern,
reached Liverpool this morning by special train
and crossed by steamer to Westminster. They
were met by the old promoters of the Westmin-
ster Southern railway, with whom conference
was held, and then the party returned to Liver
pool and dined in Mr.. Hills private car. After
lunch, terminal facilities at Liverpool were dis
cussed and arranged. They are to be completely
in accord with the Importance of the Fraser
river terminus of the road. The immediate
commencement OF regular passenger service be-
tween Liverpool Fairhaven and Seattle was de-
cided on, and trains will be running before the
end of the month. Mr.. Hills visit will COM
plete the formalities in connection with the
official taking over OF the Fairhayen e. Southern
and the Westminster Southern roads. After
concluding all arrangements the party returned
by rail to Fairhayen.