THE MANAIA RAILWAY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 14 July 1925, Page 7

THE MANAIA RAILWAY.

AIOVE FOR COMPLETION. COUNTY COUNCIL’S SUPPORT. The desire for the completion of the Manaia branch railway was again voiced at Thuisday’s meeting of the Waimate West County Council, when, during a. discussion on the subject, councillors were of the opinion that everything possible should be done to induce the Department to adhere to the original intention to put the line through to Manaia. .Mention was made ~of the petition being circulated for signature by the Alanaia Town Hoard in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, urging the authorities to have the work resumed and completed as early as possible, and it was unanimously decided to accord the support of the council. The subject was broached by the chairman (Cr. E. Long), who stressed the advantages the railway would give in facilitating the export of dairy produce, and also in providing cheaper transport for commodities required in the district. As an instance, farmers would benefit by the substantial reductions in the freight charges on manures, and would thus be further encouraged to develop the land to its best capacity. This would constitute a national benefit—a weighty aspect of the question which should be considered before any contention that at the outset the line would not return a cer-

tain percentage of profit. Looking to the time when present holdings in the Waimate AYest CounTv would be subdivided into much smaller farms, lie estimated that the line would show a.s good, if not better, return than many which ratepayers wore supporting in other narts of the Dominion.

Cr. J. F. Stevenson was also strongly of tlie opinion that every effort should be made to get. the line put through. Commenting on the matter of supplies coming into the district, he quoted figures showing that at present manures could be landed at Kapuni ex railway much cheaper than if brought by lorry ex railway at Hawera. the extra freight to Kapuni being only lid per ton, whereas cartage from Hawera cost 1.2 s Gd.

Cr. AY. H. lx? Fleming referred to the economy in road maintenance costs consequent upon the lessening of heavy traffic which should he the natural result of the operation of the railway, and mentioned the saving in freights o n coal and cement which would be needed for future use.

Other councillors spoke similarly in favour of urging the completion of the railway, and on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. Leslie, the decision given above was carried.