§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he can state whether a survey for a line from Tabaquite to Rio Claro, Trinidad, was recently made by Mr. Craig at an estimated cost of £65,000; whether such estimate has now been doubled, such extra cost being due to the line being made to follow the windings of the Poole river; if so, whether such increased cost and alteration of route is in opposition to what was stated when the Vote for the survey was approved of; and, if so, will he institute an inquiry in regard to the matter?
§ Colonel SEELYMy hon. Friend no doubt has in mind the report prepared by Mr. Craig in 1898, in which, however, the total estimated cost of construction of the line therein recommended is put at £85,000, not £65,000. The route then proposed passed along a watershed ridge which has been found by careful and more recent surveys to be difficult, if not impossible, for a railway at one or two points. The route now recommended, though somewhat tortuous, does not appear to present any serious difficulties of construction. The Legislative Council will have an opportunity of considering the merits of the proposed route, which is obviously a matter for decision in the light of local knowledge, and the Secretary of State sees no ground for instituting any inquiry.
§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked the Under-Secretary, in regard to the delay in starting the railway extensions in Trinidad, whether such delay is due largely to lines other than those approved of having been surveyed; whether the southern terminus of the line from San Fernando to Siparia is a considerable distance to the south of the village, and is in a direction in which the railway is not likely to extend; whether such is contrary to what was understood when the Vote for the survey was taken and approved; and, if so, can he state what action, if any, he intends to take?
§ Colonel SEELYThe preliminary surveys for the railway extensions were authorised in February, 1908, begun in June of that year, and completed in March, 1909. This somewhat slow progress appears to have been mainly due to difficulties in getting together a suitable staff, to sickness1966W among the staff, to unusually heavy rains, and particularly to the dense vegetation of the country traversed, but a small portion of the time was Occupied in an endeavour to find a route for an extension beyond Siparia to Erin, which was not contemplated when the surveys were authorised. This was done at the instance of the late Sir Henry Jackson, who was of opinion that the opportunity afforded by the presence of the surveying staff should not be missed. The Secretary of State has no information as to the location of the southern terminus of the San Fernando-Siparia line. The Secretary of State has not yet been informed of the views of the Governor and the Legislative Council in regard to the matter, and in the meantime he does not consider that any action is necessary on his part.
§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked the Under-Secretary if he is aware that the managements of the Trinidad Government Railway is in the hands of one man who is vested with absolute powers; and whether he can see his way clear to the setting up of a small board to act along with the general manager?
§ Colonel SEELYThe general manager of the Trinidad Government Railways is, like other Colonial officers, subject to the control of the Government, and the Secretary of State does not see any necessity to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.