The Hastings Standard Published Daily. FRIDAY, NOV. 13, 1896. THE OPOTIKI RAILWAY.

Hastings Standard, Issue 170, 13 November 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

FRIDAY, NOV. 13, 1896. THE OPOTIKI RAILWAY.

l'or the cause that lacks assistance, l'or the wrongs that need resistance, l'or the future in the distance, And the that we can do.

Thk Phkmh-.i: on Tuesday night gave a guarded answer to the question with regard to the proposed construction of a railway line from Hastings to Opotiki. He said the Government were considering the question, but he would he very careful before committing the colony to fresh railway expenditure. It is to be regretted that the Cabinet has not gone into the question long ere this, as all the proposer wished Government to do wus to guarantee 8 per cent, on the cost of construction. Mr David Whyte is an engineer of considerable experience, especially in light railways, and has every detail of the proposed line at his fingers' ends. He has made a special "study of the subject, and has mapped out the line with a view of opening up valuable timber and mineral lands. 'W hat the proposal means to Hastings cannot be over-estimated, as although the proposed line gets the name NapierOpotiki, it is intended to make this town the terminus. This will mean that Hastings will be the distributing centre for Hawke's Bay, and the prospects would certainly point to woollen factories, warehouses, kc., beingerected in proximity to the town. If Hastings people had more animation about them they would eagerly support Mr Whyte in his endeavor to obtain a Govern-

ment guarantee for the line. There is little risk to be run considering the country through which it is proposed to carry the line. From Hastings the line will be taken as nearly due west as possible, skirting the Tutaekuri river, having Taradale on the right and Meanee on the left. A station would be there that would work both of these towns. Following along the valley it would go as nearly due west as possible until a point about twenty miles from Napier is reached. There the route turns in a northern direction along the valley 011 the eastern side of the high range of mountains that intersects the country from north to south. This valley stretches nearly from Dannevirke to Wairoa. Large tracts of heavy timber land and lands tit for settlement are to be met with here. From this point the route followed along the valley to the Nuhaka river, which is reached 2o miles above the township. Here is a splendid fruit producing country. From Moliaka the line would run to Frasortown, by way of the Waihuia river bed. The health-giving Nuliaka springs—second to none in the colony--—would be brought within easy distance of Hastings. At W airoa Mr Whyte does not propose, to cross the river unless it is deemed advisable in the opinion of the public and the surveyors. He favors a branch line being taken down to Wairoa and the main line proceeding up the west side of the river to Murulnuru. The west side of the river will be traversed until the Opoiti valley is reached, and this will be followed east of Whakapunake to the north of Nuhuka, where there is good land heavily timbered. Te lleinga will then be reached. A bridge will be required over the Iluakaturi river, but this will not need to be an expensive affair, as the river is not a large one. Passing along the valley the road from the llangaroa Village Settlement to Rotonia will be crossed. On the opposite side of the river from llangaroa some magnificent timber country is now being settled on, and a valuable forest is being destroyed as there is no outlet for the timber. At I'atutahi it is proposed to have a junction. The l»ig river will be crossed by a traffic and railway bridge combined, and a branch line will touch Ormond on the way to (iisborne. The main line will continue up the west side of the river to the Motu, and thence to Opotiki. The proposed railway will traverse a district 220 miles long by 2-1 miles broad —that is, 12 miles on each side of the line—which is as an area of H,G00,000 acres. Mr "Whyte estimates that this will carry 100,000 people, or one person to 3G acres, including the town* and the industries that will spring up alongside the railway. It is estimated that the railway will cost .£.'Booo per mile, or £G7H,OOO in all. Mr Whyte is certain that if the Government will guarantee the 3 per cent, the money for the formation of the company will be subscribed in London within twenty-four hours. The project is certainly worth of consideration.