RAETIHI-MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1280, 8 November 1911, Page 7

RAETIHI-MAIN TRUNK LINE.

A WANGANUI PROPOSAL. ißt TeJccraph.—Snccial Correspondents Wanganui, November 7. Following on the placing on (lie EstU mates of tlio amount of j.15,000 for th-i Kaetihi-iAJain Trunk line, tho Wanganui Chamber of Commerce lias been giving attention to the question of pressing for (ho continuation of that lino right through to Wanganui, through the fertile stretch of country of which this town is tho geographical centre. Such a line, which. Ims been spoken of for some years, would not only greatly develop tho stretch of country referred to, but would give a great impetus to AA'aaganui's trade, and. in conjunction with the projected deepwater harbour, would be a great factor iu the progress of the whole, of this coast. The matter was fully discussed 'at a meeting of tho Chamber of Commerce last night, and a large and influential coinmittce was set up to further Ihe construction of the railway between Wanganui and liaetihi by tho most direct routa that can be. found; and to urge on tho Government to put the survey in hand at once. The committee set up included tho Mayors of Wanganui and AYanganui East, ami the chairman of the following Iwdies: —Cast'.eclill' ami Gonvillo Town Boards, Wanganui, AVaitotara, and AY.iinianno County Councils, AVanganui llarbour B:\irtl, Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, liaetihi Progressive Association, Jfangawlicro Head Hoard, and eight others. l>ii'-ii!!i the div.'iisvion it was stated by those who know tho country thoroughly that the line could be constructed at reasonable eost, and that, there nro no engineering difficulties in the way of tho steepest grade if the lino is taken up the ll'angnwhero Valley after crossing from AVanganui Kiver, the valley at U|x>kongaro being one in fifty.