THE CULVERDEN-WAIAU RAILWAY.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14407, 15 July 1912, Page 4

THE CULVERDEN-WAIAU RAILWAY.

AN ENCOURAGING REPLY FROM MR MASSEY.

Our Waiau correspondent wrote as follows on Thursday: A subject that is being keenly discussed in Waiau at present is what effect the change of Government will have on the Waiau railway extension. The remarks of the Hon. W. T>. S. MacDohald, Minister of Public Works in the Mackenzie Government, while at Waiau recently, made it abundantly clear that a substantial vote would appear on this year's Estimates, and a start mado with the work very shortly. Whether Mr Massey will carry out this programme or not remains to bo seen, but tho general opinion seems to be that if anything, the work will be facilitated. Tho necessity of tho line impressed Mr Massey a good deal when lie visited Waiau last year, and he readily conceded that the lino should be built, and he backed his opinion in no uncertain manner by attending tho deputation to Sir Joseph Ward in support of tho proposal. There are a number of points that would specially appeal to Mr Massey, and it is* probable that he will take the opportunity and demonstrate what can be done in the way of quick and economical construction, the lino admirably lending itself to such an example. In addition to Mr Massey, tho attention of his first lieutenant, Mr James Allen, has been secured recently, nnd lie, seeing that tho settlers needed assistance, expressed his willingness to assist them. Tho Railway League has called a meeting to decide about approaching the new ministers, and confidently expect to receive a favourable reply to their representations. If the expected happens it will be almost a record to have secured the favourable attention of three successive Governments in a space of timo extending over a littlo more than twelve months.

On Friday Mr A. W. Rutherford, on behalf of the Waiau settlers, interviewed the Prime Minister in connection with the extension of the railway from Culverden to Waiau. Mr Rutherford stressed the importance of the railway to the district, and urged that the work should be put in hand as soon as possible. Mr Massey promised to have the question of authorising the railway carefully considered. The importance of the line was fully recognised, and the matter would be dealt with as _oon as possible.