'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1860-61' [‎36r] (67/164)

public works—railway. [Bombay
The branch, 3 miles long, from the workshops to Ghizrie.—This is
about finished, but the amount of probable traffic has not encouraged its being
opened.
A temporary line, 1 mile long, extending to, and a temporary Goods Ter
minus, at the head of the Napier Mole, to accommodate goods traffic till the
Keeamaree line is finished.
At the other end of the line, an approach to the Steam Ferry, on the Hy-
drabad side, has been going on, and is almost completed ; it has cost Ks. 58,000.
It has also been found necessary to protect the right bank of the Indus, and a
good deal of stone pitching will be laid.
Bungalows, at a cost of Rs. 75,000, for the accommodation of Railway Offi
cers, have been built out of guaranteed capital j the occupants pay / ^ cent,
on the outlay, but this hardly suffices for interest of money, repairs, and insurance.
Stations of a cheap character are finished at Kurrachee and Kotree ; and
at four intermediate places, platforms and small sheds are being erected. There
is no prospect of any traffic at these places, and there was no necessity for build
ing regular stations there.
The two bridges left unfinished on the opening of the Railway are now in
progress, and will be finished before August.
In the year ending 1st May 1861, Rs. 33,42,547 were spent in India on
Capital Account, and the total expenditure on the line has been in India up to
that time, £765,455, converted at the Railway rate of exchange, and up to
April 15th, £600,308 in England.
This gives a rate of £12,000 per mile already spent; a large one for Indian
Railways, and one not warranted by the heavy nature of the works; it is
accounted for by the failure of the Contractor, the difficulties caused by the
desolate character of the country, and by the style in which the work has been
lately carried on, no expense having been spared to ensure a speedy completion.
Among the unsatisfactory items of expenditure and liabilities on Capital
Account, are the sums disbursed for Mr. Bray, the Contractor, and the claims
made by him.
He failed in his engagements both to the Company and his workmen ;
little work was done, and there was but the remedy of giving him notice under
the contract, and taking over the works; arrears due to workmen by him were
paid by the Company, amounting to about £11,000, and are not now acknow
ledged by him ; and he has lodged claims against the Company, composed of
alleged losses and possible profits, which may involve a payment of £300,000.
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