RAILWAY NEEDED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13093, 15 February 1937, Page 5

RAILWAY NEEDED

MOT CHORA TO TANEATTTA. GOADS UNABLE TO BEAR STOCK TRAFFIC. (Special to the Times.) OPOTIKI, Feb. 13. The ;ieed for the completion of the railway from Tahcatuv, Motuhoru has been emphasised this season by tho abnormally large numbers of stock which have passed over the roads from Poverty Bay to the railhead at T’aneatua.

In addition to the largo mobs which havo been driven, transport by motorlorry has exceeded all previous records, the roads having developed into a series of corrugations and pot-holes. Neither the Waioeka Gorge road nor the Mo-tu road are capable of carrying tho largo amount of present day motor traffic combined with the droving of large mobs of sheep and cattle. For considerable distances, the roads are narrow and precipitous on both sides and the continuous holding up of traffic results in the fraying of the tempers of both drovers and motorists by the inconvenience caused.

The completion of the railway would obviate such inconvenience, as it is safe to say that the greater portion of the stock transit would be carried by rail from which the Government would derive considerable revenue; tho largo expense in the upkeep of the roads would bo saved, and the motorist, who bears a heavy burden of taxation for the provision of decent roads, could travel with some degree of comfort. Prior to the last election, the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) assured the electors in Opotiki that, if lie was returned with a majority, the railway Would be Completed to Opotiki. Since the election, tho Government has been approached to have tho promise fulfilled, but tho invariable answer l as been the stock phrase "The matter is being kept in view.”

Persistent and concerted action is necessary to remove the disabilities under which the Opotiki district has suffered bv its isolation.