ROTORUA-TAUPO LINE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 58, 12 March 1929, Page 10

ROTORUA-TAUPO LINE

"QUITE UNJUSTIFIED"

The work commenced last year, at the instigation of the late Government, on the construction of the Botorua-Taupo railway line, is to bo stopped in accordance with a decision by Cabinet.

The announcement was made by the Prime Minister after the question had been discussed in Cabinet yesterday afternoon. Sir Joseph "Ward said that Cabinet had come to the conclusion that the railway was quite unjustified, and could not possibly be looked upon as likely to help in any interest contribution to the large cost of construction.

"This decision, 1' he said, "does not in any way imply that the Government will not help to effective land settlement on the pumice country in that locality. As a matter of fact, the Minister of Lands was authorised to take this branch of the matter in hand, with a view to making portions of the land available for settlement and having a complete analysis of the land made by expert authorities.

"The Ministers who visited the locality," the Prime Minister added, '<'are of opinion, that motor services on a good road there will more than' meet the whole of-the transport requirements in that area for many years to come." i

The men employed on the construction work, together with their families, are to be transferred to similar work elsewhere. . ;