RAILWAY EXTENSION

Evening Star, Issue 19327, 13 August 1926, Page 6

RAILWAY EXTENSION

' CLYDE TO UHS6ATE DEPUTATION TO MINISTER [From Our Parliamentary Reporter] WELLINGTON, August 13. Otago Central matters were raised by a deputation to the Minister of Public Works. Mr Horn stated that the depntation cLesired to urge the extension of the Otago Central Railway from Cromwell to Luggate, and the development of electricity in connection with the irrigation works. The survey_ of the lino was almost complete, and it should be an easy route.

Mr Steel (secretary of the Expansion League) explained that the line would serve a vast area, much of it Crown land. Irrigation had developed closer settlement rapidly, and the further the Otago Central lino was extended the greater were the profits. Mr Macdonald, chairman of the league, spoke of the irrigation of the Arrow and Frankton Flats, and the possibility of developing electric power in connection with irrigation. There was no engineering difficulty,_ and the settlers were almost unanimous in [he desire for a scheme. Once irrigation was available the holders of large areas would subdivide them for dairying. The Minister ascertained from his engineer, who was in attendance, that in designing the irrigation works on the Arrow River the possibility of electrical development was considered. Ho would _ not commit himself regarding the railway until he consulted Ids predecessor. The matter was governed by finance. Ho was awaiting a report on the irrigation of the, area mentioned by the deputation, and would seen, a information on the electrical asper*. Rome time before next session he hot to visit the district.