THE UGANDA RAILWAY.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."?
SIR,—Now that we are at Khartoum and higher, has not the gauge of the Uganda railway already become of immediate practical interest ? The question was raised in the House of Commons on the original vote, but was allowed to drop. The• gauge of the Egyptian railways of the Upper Nile is 3ft. 6 in., that of the Cape railways the same. There is every prospect (pace Major Marchand) of their being connected, Uganda,• furnishing the link; wherefore the Uganda railway is being laid down on the metre gauge ! What can possibly be the. reason ? The saving effected by a redaction of gauge by 23-in. is flatly infinitesimal; and if it was proposed to import second-hand metre gauge stock from India, it is now the fact that tenders for new stock are being frequently invited in England. The time may be still distant when through coaches from Mombasa will need attaching to the Cape-Egypt mail;. but as they some day certainly will, why prevent it in advance—for fun ? The mistake can still be undone at a trifling cost. The writer at least is curious to see whether it. will be allowed to become permanent.—I am, Sir, &c., H. C. S.
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