THE WAIAU RAILWAY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14686, 7 June 1913, Page 12

T HE WAIAU RAILWAY.

IMPORTANT PROMISE MADE BY THE MINISTER.

(BT OCR SPECIAL REPORTER.) WAIAU, June 6

The Minister of Public Works, tho ! Hon- -W. Fraser, to-day visited Waiau in connection with tho proposed extension oi the railway from Culverden to Waiau. He motored from Christ--1 church in the morning, and was mot at Culverden and entertained at luncheon by members of the Waiau Railway League. In tho afternoon the Minister was motored over tho district which would be affected, and had pointed out to hini the possibilities of the land and the route upon which a survey party is at present engagedThis party has been at work for somo weeks now. and has taken a flying survey over tho whole route, and a detailed permanent survey over the 'first four miles and a half from Culverden.

At five o'clock a large deputation from tho League, headed by Mr XPettigrew, president, waited upon the Minister, and stated the case for a railway, which had recently been placed before both tho Prime Minister and the Minister for Railways. Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P. for the district, was unavoidably absent, and ace.-ordingly Mr D. D. Macfarlane introduced the speakerce. These were numerous, and each advanced various aspects of the case SOLID ARGUMENTS. Mr Macfarlane stated that tho construction of the line would be very easy, and with the cutting up of Lyndon and Achray, dairying would go ahead. There would bo a big trade both from and to the district. The absence of the railway materially affected tho value of fat sheep. Mr Macfarlane thanked tho Government for having authorised the lino, and said tho deputation asked now that an allocation should be made this year for its construction. Mr K. Pettigrew enlarged upon the agricultural development that would follow the provision of transit facilities in the district. They might bo considered importunate, hut they wero so only bocauso they believed so strongly in the merits of their case. Mr Beaven touched tho historical note, and said that it was twentyseven years since the railway had come to Culverden. At that time it was expected it would continue to Waiau, and it had been said tnat the Waiau River had been brid_ed for railway purposes. Tho continuance of the rail- i way would be a. payable proposition, I because it would open up 50,000 acre* of agricultural land on the northern side of the river. ' In the last twelve years 72.000 acres had been cut up north of Culverden, and placed in tl.p hands of small farmers, who would all benefit by the lino. In addition to these areas 150,000 acres of good, pastoral country, of which 36,000 acres belonged to the Government, would secure better communication with the market. It had once been said that tho Waiau railway would bo for the benefit of big squatters, but that was no longer the case, for the largo areas had been cut up. Finally Mr Beaven that the railway would enable the district to keep its own populatlon ' OTHER SPEAKERS. Mr S. Baker gave figures to answer the query of the Hon. W. H. Herries as to what back loading tho district would take from Christchurch. Last year Culverden received 5500 tons of merchandise. 485 trucks of general goods, and 650.000 feet of superficial timber In addition, there wero about 10,OW passengers each way at Culverden. By reason of distanco, tho Government, once the line was provided, would have a monopoly of traffic. Mr W. Gale stated that farmers had grown up to 45 bushels of wheat, 50 bushels of barley, and 98 and 100 bushels of oats per acre on their land, but cartage to Culverden swallowed all profit, and left them in debt. Other speakers wero Mr Kennedy, who stressed the national aspect of the matter, and Mr E. Rinaldi, who commented on the treatment accorded the settlers in the slow coming of the railway. They had waited many years for it, and had received the support of many public men in their claim. The presentation of the case closed with the reading of many letters to show that tho lino was not merely a Waiau matter, but a Canterbury matter. These letters were from tho Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, tho Farmers' Union, and a number of politicians. A FAVOURABLE REPLY. In reply, Mr Fraser said he would not waste time trying to combat their arguments. He would tell them at once ho was a convert to their railway. Ho was quite sure that the line could bo built from Culverden as cheaply as any railway in New Zealand. He said this because ho did not want them to think that because ho had delayed his visit he was opposcd*to the line. That was not tho case, but he had desired to get over the long trips nrst. For the past five months he had been travelling to discover what was best for the country. This was not the first time ho had visited this district, and in relation to that he realised how important it was for the full development of a country for railway communication to be granted. He was pleased with what he had seen that day. He was a practical man, and could tell something of a country's capabilities. There was nothing to prevent this district from being one of the most prosperous districts of Canterbury. A DEFINITE PROMISE. "Now in regard to this railway," said the Minister, "I am going to tell you plainly that I am going to help you in that connection. It is a question of money, and I am not going to put you off. First, however, I want to know how much money I am going to have available during this session, but I will make you this promise, and I think it is as much as you can expect. You know a certain number of district railways were authorised last session. Well, if anything at all is allocated to thoso railways, I promise you that this ono is going to get its fair share." (Loud applause.) ! If he did not do that, the Minister continued, it would mean that the money market was against them, but ho knew the railway would come, and it had to come. , He sincerely hoped the lino would bo started in the near future, and so fulfil their hearts' desire. Another thing he would say was that ho hoped he would be able to be prosent when the first sod was turned. (Loud applause.) On assuming office the Executive had taken the first step of authorising the line. He had himself taken tho second step of having the survey started, and he fully hoped to bo able to take the third step of turning tho first sod. Hearty applause greeted the Minister as he resumed his seat, for the favourable reply given the deputation. A PLEASANT FUNCTION. The Minister was afterwards entertained at dinner by the Railway League. In proposing the health of the Ministry, Mr D. D. Macfarlane oppressed his confidence in the Executive of tho country, and commented on the excellent treatment that had been accorded tho district in the visits of Ministers since the change of Government. There had been "financial difficulties in the way of the Cabinet, but Mr Allen had got to London in time, and had largely rescued tho position. In response, the Hon. W. Fraser

acknowledged that tho Ministry had had its difficulties, but ho hoped the clouds would roll by. As vet how- °^ r 'i,7nf re ". 0t ° Ut of **-« wood ' and had still to bo careful. He had been called a pessimist and a becrier of tho country's credit, but that criticism had no effect upon him for he believed m the necessity for care. It was easy to bo generous with other people s money, but tho first thing to ho remembered was to maintain the credit of the country in the eyes of tho outside world. He had been delighted with his experiences in tho district, and hoped to bo round that wav again. Ho wished Mr Massev were I there to respond, but perhaps he could bo induced to turn the first sod when the occasion demanded it.. "Dogged does it," were tho words with which Mr F. S. Northcote proposed the health of tho committee of I the Railway League. He commended ', their perseverance and determination, and hoped that soon the first sod would bo turned. Acknowledgment was made by Messrs K. pettigrew ard S. Baker. I Colonel Chnffoy proposed the toast of "Local Bodies." which was responded i to by Mr W. Rutherford. j