PROPOSED RAILWAY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 October 1922, Page 5

PROPOSED RAILWAY.

ROTORtfA TO TAJKJPO

REPORT OB1- COMMISSION.'

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. The report or the Koyal Commission j appointed to investigate the question oi constructing and working a rifiiway between itotorua and Taupo and conI necting with the t^overnment railway ] at itotorua was laid on the table of j the Mouse- to-<tay. | The commissioners reported that in their opinion tne Taupo-f otara Timber poniparty's tramway was not suitable for the carriage of passengers, and did; noiT serve tiie Government forest plan-; ta£ions. On the other hand, the com- ' missioners^'say that should it be de-' cided to assist settlement in tne district under Section 11 of the Land Laws Amendment Act of 1919 a rail-, way would be necessary for the development of this district. . j The extent of traffic which, might be v expected from such a railway is "estimated to produce £61,492, provided the^line is completed and open for traffic within the next ten years. It IS" very doubtful, however, if the revenue derived from such; a railway would meet working expenses and interest -on the! capital cost of £750,000 if that interest is calculated at four per cent., The extent of country served by such a railway is estimated at 1,250,000 acres,- of which, however, a very limited portion is fit for settlement. On this point further investigation is neoessafyv The route (generally) which should; be adopted is from Rotorua^by way of the Hemo Gorge, to Waiotapu, thence keeping to the right bank of the Waikato river to the Taupo township.