THE TAUPO RAILWAY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 243, 17 September 1912, Page 5

THE TAUPO RAILWAY.

MR. J. H. BLOW’S EVIDENCE. Wellington, Sept. 17. Further evidence was heard today in connection with the TaupoTotara Timber Company's petition.

Mr. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works, referring to the company’s line, said it would cost about £15,000 to put the railway into a proper condition for the general traffic of a light railway. The formation would have to be improved. and houses for employees would have to be erected. Then the general equipment of rolling stock to deal with the general traffic of the district would have to lie provided, i and this would probably cost £lO.OOO. In this estimate he had allowed for four locomotives, considering that the locomotives at present m use would be required for ord in arv traffic. <

In reply to a question, witness said he thought it would pay to run a standard line at the present time. If the standard line were to be constructed he would recommend the Rotorua route to Taupo. Rotorua e< uld not be cut out of the Tourist traffic. If the Tauranga line was connected with Rotorua (there is a gap ot 22 niilcs). and the Rotorua line was then extended to Tau;>o, tiie total distance over tlie whole route being too miles, there was no doubt that Tauranga Mould be the shipping port for Taupo, and mil Auckland, which was 2to miles distant.

-Mi\ E. E. "Vaile. farmer of VVaiotapit. gave evidence stronglv supporting the construction of the lint' ficin Bctorua to Taupo. He said if the Government constructed sue’ti a line it would link up all the thermal sites in one continuous journev. and !i would open to settlement a vastly larger aiea than any other tailway tnat could be constructed. He clatmed there was nothing to be gained fiom a public point of view by adopting the company's proposal. The i\Tamili co adjourned, till Thursday.