RAILWAY TO TAUPO

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 227, 19 June 1920, Page 3

RAILWAY TO TAUPO

INQUIRY AS TO ROUTE.. The old request for the acquisition by the Government of the Taupo Totara Timber Company's railway lino from Putaruru to Mokai, connecting the Tnupo - distriot -with-the Government system, was renewed by a deputation of settlers whioh waited on Ministers yesterday. The Ministers present were the Prime Minister (Mr. Masjey),.tho Minister of P'ublio ■ Work* Mr. Coatee) andthe Minister of Lands (Mr: Guthrie). ■ It was urged by the deputation .that the private control c(f the line was retiding settlement in. the district, and also retarding development of the knds already settled. The speakers said that the company charged high rates for the carriage of fencing material, building ■ material, fertilisers, and produce from the soil, and they therefore asked, that 'the Government exercise the powers they possessed end make the line a Government line, and a'jso have it completed to Taupo, 18 milles from tho present terminus. Ministers in their replies pointed out that there waa some question os. to whother tJhe -line to be provided by the Government should be V way of the present private line, or out towards Rotoruai This Rotorua line would ran through a large, block of !and nequired by the Government recently from Messrs. Stead and Watt, and now being subdi'vided for 6oldier settlement. Most of this 3and woe good country, suitable for dairying .or any agricultural purpose. Wltat the Government proposed to do was to appoint a coirimisskoi representative of the-Railway Department, .the .Public Works Department, and the Lands De- : - • partment, to report on the possibilities ' of the country to be-opened up .by the lines, and also.as to the cosj; by.the two ■■ routes. This commission would probnbly • be sot to work vexy'soon, and the report would ■be ■ prepared beforo Parliament •ro», so that it would be possible for - Parliament to come to a determination ■■ on the question under consideration.