BUILDING OF RAILWAYS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 8 September 1928, Page 5

BUILDING OF RAILWAYS

PROPOSED GPOTIIv! LINE.

ROTORUA TO) TAUPO LINK

OPOTIKI, Sept. 6. The .burning question of the proposed railway from Tlaoea.tuu, to Opotiki was referred to Iby the Minister of Public Works, Hon. K. S. Williams, when speaking at a. dinner at Opotiki. Mr Williams said he was placed in a very difficult position through being both member .for the district and Minister of Public Works 1 . As Minister he had toi satisfy himself that the prospects for business were' favourable before he could consent to pushing on with any railway. At the same time he agreed that the development of the country must go on and thialh railways would improve in earning capacity ais the country was opened. The Minister expressed the .hope ‘that the people of Opotiki would not think he had been unjust- to the district, but that they would recognise that he must also study the national point- of view. It was considered that the railway from Rotorua to. Ttaupo was the most favourable -railway work that could have -been gone- on with, at present. The anon moement that it was intended to start the latter line had not been made earlier or there would have- been such a rush for work that it would have been impossible to turn do-wn applications without detriment to the men .employed qh the present East Coast line. Mr Williams said, he had advised his colleagues to wait until tliese men could be taken off, as they were entitled to first consideration. It was on tb© Railway Department's recommendation that it was decided to build the Tauipo railway, instead oif the line to Opotiki.,