THE BACK BLOCKS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1291, 21 November 1911, Page 4

THE BACK BLOCKS.

A WANGANUI SCHEME. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wanganul, November 20, Iho project lo open up the backblockfl 11 FjW n »i, "jy, '"fans of a railway to Icaetihi has lately been actively revived hero by tho Chamber of Commerce. Tho importance of tho projected line lias long been recognised for some excellent country would be opened up, and tho i 0 miles of lino would not be expensive to make. Three years ago, the Hon. Ilflll-Joncp, when Minister for Publio Works, promise) to hav», * snrvej mado when an official was available, but his successor repudiated the promise; now that £15,000 has been placed on the Estimates for a portion of the route—that , r .°! n the Main Trunk to Raetihi—an additional incentivo ha,s been fiven iho proposal. This is especially so as tho Government electrical expert, Mr. Parry, is reporting on tho possibility of electrifying the Main Trunk-Raetihi line. There are some remarkably fine falls on Mangawhero Diver on the proposed route. This source for_ electric power stood soc.md in the North Island among the rfjcoinmendhliotrs by the late Mr. T. Huy, tlw Government engineer. The Government is being urged to allow Mr. Parry to report 011 tho possibility of electrifying the whole lint to Wanganui. The Chamber also asks tho Government, to fulfil at onco the promise made three years ago by tho Minister for Publif Works, and have a survey made.