TO OPEN THE BACKBLOCKS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 123, 21 November 1911, Page 2

TO OPEN THE BACKBLOCKS.

fBS XELEGB4PH —FSEjSI* ASSOCIATJiqN.J WANGANUI,'. 2Qth November. The project to open up the backbjocks of Wanganui by means of a railway to Raetihi has lately been actively revived here by th.e Chaniber of Commerce. The importance pf the projected line has long been recognised, for some excellent country would be opened up, and the 70 miles of line wquld not be expensiA'e to rHiake,,. Three years ago the Hon, HalJrJones, when Minister for Public Works, promised to have a survey made when an official was available, but his successor repudiated the promise; now that £15,000 has been placed on tht» Estimates for a portion of the routes that from the Main Trunk to' Raetihi—an additional incentive has been given the proposal. This i*. especially sp as the Government electrical expert, Mr, Parry, is reporting on the possibility of eleoti-jfying the Main Trunk-Raetibi line. There are some remarkably fine falls on Mangawhero River on the proposed route. This source for electric power stood second in the North Island among the recommendations by the late Mi*. T. Hay, the Government engineer. The Government is being urged to allow Mr, parry to report on the possibility of electrifying the whole line to Wanganui. The Chamber also- asks the Government to fulfil at once tho promise made throe years ago by the Minister for Public Works, and have a survey made.