AUCKLAND – TARANAKI RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 7, 10 January 1899, Page 2

AUCKLAND - TARANAKI RAILWAY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Now that your columns give, us the news that the question of the North Island Main Tfunk Railway route has been made a Cabinet question, and it has been decided that the Minister of Works—l presume as a Southern man—is to make enquiries with regard to the two routes, it might not be out of place to give a few up-to-date statistics. This is especially necessary m the face of the wild assertions made by the champions of the Central route, which would tend to mislead the ignorant as to the true value of the rival lines from the. standpoint of population and rateable values—the latter being taken from, the last Government valuation list just completed:— STRATFORD COUNTY. VALUATIONS. 1891: IS9S. North Riding £72,«8 .. £198,283 West Riding 37,503 .. 120,-42 South Riding 43,900 .... 118,614 East Riding./.'.: V. 72,900 .. 436,2*5 Central Riding, includi nhfp St."". orl. T°"n:_auT .. _noi29 Total £238,19S .. £984,043 It will be noticed that the valuation of the East and Central ridings has progressed by leaps and bounds; in one case, that of the East riding, which includes the route of the proposed railway line, and which has increased sevenfold, and the Central riding, which includes the township of Stratford, and which has increased ten times in valuation during the past seven years. If we look at the population, we have the same startling statistics, showing that the valuation has increased with increased population, and not only in sheep and cattle:—

Here, again, we see the East and Central ridings, along which the proposed railway line is to be constructed, take the lead in population as well as in value. This country is one portion of the Taranaki Provincial District, and that portion which will be most affected by railway communication. And it is this rising and thriving district that it is calmly and coolly proposed should be left out in the cold as far as railway communication with Auckland is concerned. I notice that your contemporary the: other day published an interview with Mr Duthie, and gave his opinions as if they were the opinions of a calm and unbiassed mind. It is well known that Mr Duthie is one of bur strongest and most uncompromising opponents. His mottb.like many other mercantile men in Wellington, is 'Wellington first, and the rest of the colony afterwards.' He has one of the keenest commercial intellects in the colony, and he has, beyond this, travellers Constantly moving; through the Taranaid district,, and it is not;his. intention to share the-Taranaki:trade with Auckland if He "can in any Way i prevent.-ifc - The-threat ..aboiit staking away the 'Frisco mail service from Auckland*is mere ga-. If that service is ever done away withj and I doubt if it ever will be, must come from the action of New' South Wales, and the rest of the Australian colonies, and not from Wellington influence, which some in Atickland seem to dread. The only portion of the interview in which I heartily concur. with Mr Duthie is," that if we persist in our agitation for the TaranaM route, the Cape to Cairo railway line will be completed before the Central line between Auckland and Wellington, to which I earnestly reply, 'So moie it be.' But one thing is certain, if ever Her Majesty's Opposition take their seats ort the Government benches with Mr Duthie in the Ministry it will be 'good-bye' to the Taranaki Bailway connection with Auckland until they occupy the Opposition benches once more. If Auckland as a district, is true to itself and its vital interests, the prospect of an Auckland-Taranaki Railway Opposition Government should be very remote.—l am,; etc:,"

P. E. CHEAi;.

POPULATION. 1891 North Riding.... 1006 West Ridinng.... 429 South Riding 611 East Riding 137 Central Riding... 343 1896 147S 659 795 953 125S Esti. • 1898 ' 1600 800 900 1400 1700 2521 5141 6400