LIGHT RAILWAY PROPOSAL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume 49, Issue 7679, 27 April 1921, Page 4

LIGHT RAILWAY PROPOSAL

TAURANGA TO MAMAKU

A special meeting of the Mamaku Set tiers’ and Ratepayers' Association was held on April 7, Mr. Alt’ Jackson presided over a good meeting in spite of the bad weather prevailing. The following report was received from the engineer to the TauraugaMamaku Railway League, accompanied by a complete sketch plan of the special rating area, which has now been defined to include districts from Horahora Survey District to Tauranga. ‘T have been instructed by your secretary to examine the route of the proposed light railway and have much pleasure in reporting as follows: Accompanied by Mr. Gifford, proprietor of the ‘‘Bay of Plenty Times,'’ 1 travelled over the v. hole route from Gammaa's old lauding on the Wairoa River through to Mamaku and was much impressed by the apparent ease with wilich a line may be constructed o\er the greater part of this length. The only real obstacles to be overcome are a steep hill near the landing and Lilly's Hill, all within the first five nfiles from the Wairoa River. Before the whole of Gamman's formation could be adopted it would be necessary to eliminate both of these hills. From the configuration of the country I do not anticipate any great trouble in doing this. Each of these places will require u deviation of some sort and only a trial survey will furnish any definite information. From Lilly’s Hill on to Mamaku there appears to be nothing to prevent a cheap and wellgraded line being laid. “Section I.—With regard to the first 8£ miles, i.e., from Tauranga along Cameron Road to Tauriko, I have nothing more to report than Avas embodied in my letter of the 19th February last which letter may be read in conjunction with this report. (1 propose to commence to survey this railway from the Tauranga end at the site of the Government Railway Station at Tauranga, and take a line along Cameron Road, Avhich is two chains wide, for a distance of five miles, This road is almost level for this distance. It would be extremely cheap formation and Avould serve as a suburban tramway as well. Conveyances are noAV plying along this route. From B to C is about 2| miles where a connection can be made and a good grade maintained all the way. There should be no difficulty in securing the right to take.a raihvay down this road). “Section 2.—From the landing on the Wairoa- River to'Gamman’s Mill at Omanawa,* is about six miles and appears to present the greatest difficulty of any section of the route. In this section are tAvo bills already mentioned, the first being about half a mile long and the second about a quarter-mile with grades as steep as 1 in 11 apd 1 in 19 respectively. It may take a fair distance of well graded line to overcome these hills, but I feel confident that this could be accomplished. The rest of the old formation in this section is practically level and in fair condition. There have been three small bridges in this section, tAvo of Avhich could be replaced by culverts, the remaining - one being a bridge over o : .d to the Omanawa power j.aiion which Avould have to be re-

placed. While at this point I explored the country about the junctiou of the Ruakaka aud Omauawa streams with a view to a connection with the Tauranga Eimu Company’s line. Although this connection would probably be made if required, it would take a considerable length of line through rather difficult country aud may not be as favourable a route as keeping to the west side of the Omanawa all the way. The choice of these routes will of necessity have to wait until a trial survey is made, when there will then be something more tangible to work on.

"Section 3.—From Gammau’s Mill to the old rail-head in the bush, is about miles, and this should be one of the easiest sections to construct. The old formation which gives an almost level run is in good condition and with a few improvements would make an excellent and cheap section. There is one small bridge which has been destroyed by fire, but which could be replaced by culvert or other bridge. "Section 4.—From Gammau’s old rail-head (about five miles) is all very easy bush country level to slightly undulating in places, and presents no difficulty for the laying of a well-graded line.

"Section s.—The last section from Steele’s rail-head (5A miles) to Mamaku will also be a very easily constructed line following an almost level track throughout its whole length. Although the practicability of the scheme is hinging on the result of a trial survey at the Tauranga end, I do not anticipate meeting any obstacles serious enough to prevent the laying of a well-graded line throughout the entire distance from Tauranga to Mamaku. Nature of Proposed Railway.

"In view of the great cost of construction and working of presentday railways and generally small margin of profit resulting therefrom, 1 do not consider that you would be wise to entertain any ideas of unnecessary expenditure. I take it that the light line is to bo used primarily for the carriage of goods, and . econdly for the transport of passengers. In this case, sleepers may be got locally, no metalling will be required, no unnecessary expense will be incurred in rolling stock, cost of buildings will be reduced to minimum all of which will keep expenditure within bounds and help to make the concern a paying one. Once lhe railway becomes an established fact aud can pay its way, then various improvements might be tarried out to give greater speed and smoother running. Gauge.

“Apart from the national standpoint and from the fact that there

already exists a fair length of line laid to standard gauge, I do not consider that any other gauge would be suitable. The temporary light railwavs {two feet gauge) in France were quite successful and appeared to entirely fulfil the purpose for which they were used, viz., carrying troops, stores,- ammunition, etc. There, {he country is level to undulating and the lines were quickly am! cheaply laid, but here we have hilly eountrv and must be prepared to carry logs and other weighty loads which on a two feet gauge we would be unable to deal with. Then ana in there must be faced the possibility of the railway being unable to pav its way and of the Board having to approach the Government for relief. If a standard gauge were laid there would be more chance of obtaining assistance or greater compensation in the event of entire disposal to the Government. Surveys and Estimates.

‘ The surveys required may be divided into three groups:--(a) Trial survey-; It should lx 1 understood that the results of a trial survey merely show that a railway is practicable over a certain distance and is in no way binding on the choice of a final route. Owing to the undoubted ease with which good grades can be obtained from Gamman’s Mill southwards, no trial surveys will be required over this length, i.e., sections *3, 4 and 5, northwards from Gamin an s Mill, i.e., sections 1 and 2, it will be necessary to run trial surveys to perhaps 8 to 10 miles in all. This will probably cost about £4.0 to £SO in all, but will be all that is required by way of survey until after a poll is taken. An estimate of the sum total of the loan required may be arrived at without further surveys; (b) Engineering, surveys, levels, etc: These surveys will not be required until after a* poll is carried and will deal with the permanent levels, earthworks, grades, etc; (c) Laud surveys: It may not be necessary |o undertake the land surveys until after the formation is completed. These surveys will determine the boundaries and areas of land to be taken or given for railway purposes, to settle compensation claims, and obtain transfer of land fo the railway board. Grades. While easy grades must be obtained wherever possible, owing to saving in coals and delays, the obtaining of same is sometimes overshadowed by the greater cost in consi ruction. If the raihvay is_ to be constructed as cheaply is possible, it may be necessary in places to sacrifice errade to cost Avhile still keeping within workable limits. I do not consider that anything steeper than 1 in 40 should be attempted. Power, “Having dealt with the scheme in-so-far as it is possible at this stage,

it Avould not be out of place to consider the question of haulage power. While at first steam will of necessity be the only poAver available, the coal situation is fast becoming embarrassing to those who must face it. Within one and a half miles of Gamman’s old line is a site for a proposed hydro-electric pow'er station on the Wairoa River. The initial surveys for the dam site and conservation area have already been carried out for the Tauranga Borough Council. The falls, if fully developed, 1 believe, are estimated to yield a minimum of 4000 horse pcwer. I suggest that this be kept in view, so that the Board, when constituted, may undertake to become buyer of electric power which would probably assist this scheme to development, besides providing a cheap and never-fading source of poAver supply for the light railwayVery little more can be said about this scheme until the Board finally decides just what standard of railway is required to be laid down but if any of our members are in doubt on any point, I shall be very pleased to supply what information I can. Before concluding this report, Mr. Gifford joins me in wishing to record our appreciation of the kind-

ness shown us by Mr. Malcolm, of Omanawa, and by your secretary and Mrs. Crooke during our trip across.”

The report was received with enthusiasm, and it was resolved on the motion of Mr. A. Jackson, seconded by Mr. J. Purcell “That the engineer be thanked for his comprehensive and practical report and that everv effort be made to have the area submitted ‘proclaimed’ in accordance with the Light Raihvays Act, 1914, so that a Railway Board

can be elected to obtain a trial survey over the proposed route.” i The petition to His Excellency j the Governor-General for the oro,da mat ion of the Special Railway Rating Area was received from Mr. Beale, solicitor, Tauranga, and on the motion of Mr. A. Clark, seconded by Mr. Hayward, it was resolved that Messrs. W. F. Crooke, W. Steele and A, Jackson be hold responsible for the signatures of ratepayers in the area. Eight neAv members were elected.