The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 20, 1901. “OUR RAILWAY.”

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 191, 20 August 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, AUGUST 20, 1901. “OUR RAILWAY.”

Undeu that heading the Opotiki Herald gives a leading article that is remindful of the gentle spring time, when the poet receives his inspiration and feels it his duty to transmit his sentimental feeling to paper. The leading article ends with a poem commencing, “ House, oh rouse, ye sturdy voters.” “ The settlers north of Auckland are,” states our contemporary, “ moving heaven and earth, or rather they are doing their utmost to move the powers that be in Wellington to extend the railway through their clay-clad hills and kauri ranges. Wo wish them success. They are setting us a good example, but one which the good people in this part of the country are slow to follow. Yet the importance of a railway Kne to connect Gisborne, Opotiki, Whakatane, Te Tekp and Hotorua, from a financial point, is immensely superior to any lino that can be advocated north of Auckland.” Then our contemjiorary indulges in rhapsodical language concerning the meadows that would be opened up : | “ What a splendid rich country it | would open up! What life it would i inspire among- our now silent ranges ! I Kich grass paddocks, with live stock browsing, growing and multiplying ; the smoke from many a chimney would iloat in the morning air; children wonld revel in the sunshine and among the tlowers that would spring up round ever}' home. Then there would be cheese and butter factories along the route and large freezing worres at Ohiwa. This is but a meagre conception of what would actually come to paes jn a few short years if only that railway were put through.” Yes, what a glorious prospect, and after all, who can say that there is aught in it of exaggeration ? But there is another side to the question, for, saith Opotiki’s spirited journal;— “ Our representative men are dumb, 1 yea they open not their mouth,’ although now the Government is about to borrow £1,000,000 a year for the next three years, and railway extension is largely included in the scheme of expenditure. The Hying survey of this line by Mr Stewart, C.E., has been approved, and a start has been made at the Gisborne end. Why should not a strong and persistent effort be made to have a good posse of men put on, say at Ohiwa, to work ' both ways ? As soon as the line would reach Opotiki jt would pay working expenses at least, and perhaps a little over for interest. The same could be truthfully said of the Whakatane side, and each mile afterwards would add | its quota in developing country.” j By all means let the I-Torth take up the j cue. The Financial Statement shows j that there is to be a “tapering 'off,” j which, put plainly, means that the j strongest will; as heretofore, get the j greater portion of the expenditure, j and the development of the virgin

country will be further delayed. It will require a very watchful eye to obtain fair treatment for the sparselysettled localities, for no matter what party is iu power, votes will have the effect. We are glad to see that the people of Opotiki, on the one side, aud of Wairoa on the other are maintain" a vigilant outlook, for some day vigilance will surely be rewarded.