RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 20, 12 September 1911, Page 6

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

MINISTERIAL CONSIDERATION.

'A RAETIHI REQUEST

WELLINGTON, Sept. 10.

4 request for a railway line connecting, Raetihi with the Main Trunk line waa put before Sir Joseph Ward and Hoijt. R. McKenzie (Minister for Public Works) yesterday by representatives of local bodies interested. file J. T- Hogau explained that the deputation desired a, branch line to Raetihi for the present and eventually' to Wanganui. Sir William Hall-Jones had* been over the country, and they had .'tally expected that the line would have- been under construction long ago. It was almost expected from what had bees said tlifen that the material used in the loop line over Karioi Plains would have, been transferred to the other side of tike Main Trunk line and used for this, branch.

Mr Peter Brass, chairman of the Wai»arinoT!ounty Council,'stated that it had become almost imperative that something should be done to cope with the traffic. The country was wet and it was impossible to construct anyroad that vwould carry the timber that was being conveyed. In nine months three miles of road near Horopito had been completely buried. They felt that they would go back if nothing were done. If the Government was not prepared to do it the others were prepared to rate themselves and construct the line if they could get permission. Mr T. B. Williams, president of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the proposed line was not a branch line but an arterial one. The line to Raetihi would pay the interest on the cost of construction. They felt sure that the Government would do all it could.

Mr T. Harris, president of the Progressive Association, Raetihi, said that at present they had to leave fully a third of their timber in the bush owing to excessive cost of cartage. With the railway second-class timber would be cut and this would conserve their resources. There were 3000 acres of good milling bush eight or nine miles from Ohakune, and with the present means of conveyance this would be left untouched. If this bush were burned the State would lose £67,500 in railway freight at 3s per 100 feet. This was double the cost of the line. He also made a point of the fact that £BO,OOO would be spent in wages in the cutting of the bush. Mr T. Punch, sawmiller, expressed the opinion that the line would touch 25,000 acres of milling timber. Mr Hogan stated that these settlers were not recent comers but were among the oldest in the Dominion. They had been there since Mr Ballance initiated his settlement policy. In reply Sir Joseph Ward stated that both he and his colleague, Hon. R. McKenzie, were familiar with tho circumstances and aware of the advantages which would arise from the construction of the line. Its importance from a timber industry point of view was beyond all question. The only thing he could say at the moment was that when they were going, as they would be very soon, into the consideration of railways for the Dominion the fullest consideration would be given to their representations. He could not make any definite promise at present because the whole country had to be dealt with in the allocation of money. All the facts would be taken into consideration aud this important matter would not be overlooked. Neither he nor his colleague could make a promise regarding any line.