LIGHT RAILWAYS. THE MASTERTON WEBER SCHEME.

Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue 87, 15 April 1901, Page 6

LIGHT RAILWAYS. THE MASTERTON WEBER SCHEME.

This Morning the Minister for Public* Works (Hon. W. Hall-Jone») and the Minister for Railways (Hon. J. G. Ward) ■were interviewed by a deputation appointed at a public meeting at Masterton to urgo upon the Government the desirableness ot a light railway hieing built between Masterton and Weber (via Pongaroa), a distance of 5-7 miles. The deputation, which was introduced by Mr. Hogg, M.H.ft., consisted of Dean, 'M'Kenna, Messrs. C. E. Daniells, Eli Smith, C. Kebbell, and John Cross. Ministers were informed that there was a keen desire that the Government should construct the line, the cost of which was estimated at £157,000, being at tho rute of £2100 a mile, not including the cost of the land. If the State; could not make the lmc, then the settlers wanted to know whether the Government would try to have the Loans; to Local Bodies Act amended so as -to*give power to local bodies to construct light railways. It was stated that there was a great deal of settlement in the district through which it was proposed to carry the line; that owing to the want of roads and the difficulty of getting good metal most of the settlers were shut out from market in the winter; that tho value of the Crown lands in the district would bo greatly increased if railway communication was given; and that there were 270,000,000 feet of timber between Masterton and' Weber, sufficient to keep ten mills employed for 17 years. The deputation also stated Ihirt the total value of the rating areaA' through which the line would- pass wasi £1,416,349, and ib was estimated thatlthe interest at 3£ per cent. (£5530 per annum) could bo raisod by a rate ofr 15-I6ths of a penny. The replies of the Ministers were to ; the effect that the proposed line would cost very much more than the £2100 per' mile estimated % Mr. Austin, C.E. ■> The cost of the Mght railways in Tasmania had been about £3000 per mile. Tt would probably bo found unwise to, make a narrow ,'^auge line between Masterton and Weber, as the traffic migbt r soon be sufficient for a line on the or- , dinary system. It might be dangennts;' to enlarge the provisions of the Loans' to Local Bodies Act in the direction sug-j-;es>ted. If a t-ailway was to be made it y.-a« better tliat the- State should make it. The Government was anxious to advance settlomoTit throughout the colony in every possible way, but before it covninittcd itself to the Masterton- Weber Vine Id would require more information 'fhan vas at present forthcoming. The interview then terminated..