THE LAST LINK

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 85, 9 January 1928, Page 3

THE LAST LINK

AUCKLAND-BAY OF PLENTY RAILWAY

STIMULUS TO FAT LAMB EXPORT A powtiful stimulus to the fat lamb trade and frozen meat enterprise generally ill the Bay of Plenty will result from the early completion of the last link in the railway from Auckland to Taneatua (states the “New Zealand Herald”). Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Co., Ltd., contractors for the sections linking the line, are now about ready to hand over to the Public Works Department the . last length of 15 miles from Tahawai to Te Puna. A Government inspection cf the work lias been asked for by the contractors, and it is probable that within a few weeks uninterrupted laihvav communication between Auckland' and Taneatua, near Opotiki, will be established. Subsequently the whole length will come under the control of the Railway Department. Until a shorter route to Auckland is provided, the line from the Bay of Plenty will junction with existing services at Waihi, but it is proposed to shorten the distance to Auckland by approximately 50 miles by means of a link from Taeroa to Pokeno.

Those, competent to judge, predict an immense development in the fat lamb trade of the Bay of Plenty when direct rail communication with Auckland freezing works and stores is provided. In the past owners of fat sheep and lambs have been obliged to have their stock driven long distances to the nearest railheads to Rotorua or Waihi, for instance. Apart from the expense involved, the less of condition on long droves has depreciated considerably from the net return upon killing. For the past few seasons the position has been accentuated by the closing of the works at Whakatane.

One other beneficial aspect of the fast-approaching completion of the line will be the availability to farmers, for top-dressing purposes, of manures at a much cheaper rate than hitherto. In itself, this is important, but in its bearing on the raising of fat stock makes a dual factor of potent significance.