NAPIER TO GISBORNE RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1037, 28 January 1911, Page 3

NAPIER TO GISBORNE RAILWAY.

Sir,—Having lately'traversed the proposed line of railway from Gisborne to vVairoa, via Morere, and back from Wair'oa, via Tiniroto and Hangaroa, I must say/I was greatly disappointed in the, class of country it goes through. It is extremely rough, broken, hilly country, light pumico soil, covered with heavy fern, manuka and tutu, and only suitable to bo held in large blocks for sheepgrazing. There, is no land iit for dairying or close settlement, and owing to the broken nature of tho. country it would be a most expensive lino to make. All the sleepers would have to be imported, as there is no timber on the route. 1 think a commission ought to be appointed to inspect tho proposed route before the . work is started, as 1 feel confident it : would never pay 2J per cent, on tho cost of construction. I am told that tho line from Wniroa to .Napier goes through- similar poor ■ country. It would bo much bettor for the Government to spend the amount they propose doing on this lino on the one at present in hand from Gisborno to Hotcrua, which taps some very good country, and will pay good interest on the cost of construction. As tho Dominion is already saddled with a good many non-paying lines, I hope this Napior-Gisboruo proposed railway will be looked into by the Minister for Railways and tho .Minister for Public Works, and if it is being constructed for political purposes, to catch voles, let it be knocked on the head.—l am, etc., SHEEPFAKJIEK,