MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 116, 17 May 1902, Page 7

MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

The following letter has been sent by the Taihape branch of the Farmers' Union to the chairman of the Auckland Pail way League:— " Farmers' Union, Taihape Branch, May 6. 3502: Gentlemen,—We wish to draw your attention to the full stoppage of railway ■ works along the Main Trunk line from MangaWeka northwards. Nothing has been done with the exception of one tunnel since December last. At this rate of progress it will take twenty years before it reaches Taihape, and very many twenties before it reaches Auckland. We also wish to state that the light formation work south of here is done, and the heavy work, consisting of deep fillings and tunnels, remains io be done. This work should have been done first, as some of these fillings are 70ft deep, and will require years to subside and consolidate. As a further illustration of the treatment this line is receiving, about three weeks ago the engineer in charge here and some of his staff were removed to railway work in the South Island. We also wish to draw your attention to the fact that twelve months ago the Government brought a large number of working men to this district These men have since been joined by their families, and very many of them are now destitute. They were discharged from work before Christmas, and they have been hanging on ever since expecting the daily resumption of work whicn ha* never come, and which, unfortunately, has no appearance of coming. These men are just existing on precarious casual labour, which is getting Increasingly scarce. At a meeting of the rnpTTvnloved held here two weeks ago S 40 men petitioned the Government fo™ work. They have since received a momise of work, which promise so far S unMfillkn The settlers here ar? labouring under intolerable conjv 2* P°T {& Jgf OU*t WtS SSE The having to be liltec ou f th mall quently." . -