[ESTABLISHED 1875.] Manawatu Daily Times The Oldest Manawatu Journal. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1913. A RAILWAY MATTER.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1901, 22 April 1913, Page 4

[ESTABLISHED 1875.] Manawatu Daily Times The Oldest Manawatu Journal. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1913. A RAILWAY MATTER.

Yesterday we published a report of some remarks of members of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce on railway matters. Displeasure was expressed at the support which the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was said to have given to a partial duplication of the Manawatu line while the Wairarapa's claims to better railway communication with Wellington were quite overlooked. We quite s; mpathise with Masterton in the haidioap upon its progress which the expensive Rimutaka mountain railway imposes—its only direct communication with a sea port. We think that the Government eh uld give more serious conside r ation than it has done to the Rimutaka deviation proposal. But at the same time the Manawatu route must alwavs remain the route of the Main Trunk line, and that being so the traffic passing over it must go on rapidly increasing. Provision must be made to accommodate that increase; the institution of such facilities cannot be much longer de layed. Already stock has to be unduly delayed at Paekakariki until it can be conveyed over the hill, and Palmerston merchants know only too well the congestion of traffic that often prevents the speedy arrival of their goods. Duplication of a portion of the line must be made before very long. Masterton certainly should,have its wants attended to, but shouM not blind its eyea to other patent facts. In this connection there is urgent occasion for Palmerston to awaken to matters that affect its interests on the other side of the ranges. For some time Pahiatua has been asking for the construction of a series of lateral light lines extending inland from the East Toast main trunk line to tap the country lying towards the coast. Settlement the re is rabidly progressing. Many small townships have sprung up. A glance at recent maps will show how centres are rapidly being formed. At present trade with these places is conducted over laborious roads. Light lines would link them up with the principal town 3 on the east trunk line. Pahiatua, for instance, would be connected with Pongaroa, one of the largest of these new townships. This proposal is of very great interest to Palmerston, because Palmerston comes into the direct line of communication. What goes to Pahiatua chiefly goes from or via Palmerston. And if the Foxton harbour were what it should be, and bulk goods and produce could enter and leave there with decent regularity this district would be the natural source of supply for the whole of that large area between Pahiatua, Dannevirke, and the East Coast. In a direct linefthrough the Gorge for instance, Pongaroa is almost as near to Palmerston as it is to Masterton which is making a big bid for its trade. And one of Masterton'n proposals to capture that trade is to have constructed a loop line of railway extending from Masterton to Waipukurau linking up these places en route. The idea is evidence of enterprise, but if carried into effeet will entail enormous expense because the country to be traversed is by no means " easy," and the distance is considerable. On the other hand the light lines would cost vt-ry much less, and be more effective, and trade and communication would flow over natural channels to natural outlets. Difficult gradients, we are i> formed, would be avoided, —the steepest portion of the Pahia-tua-Pongaroa route being 1 in 40. The master is undoubtedly worthy of the coosideracion of the Chamber of Commerce, and it would be an excellent opportunity for Palmerston to identify its interests with Pahiatua's. We understand h 4 shortly the Minister for Public Works will visit the district and go into the whole project.

The d irectors of Rangiwahia Dairy Company are well pleased with the result of last season's experiment in home separation. The creameries were closed and the cream collected from the various suppliers in the district, proving a distinct saving on the year's working. The Palmerston North Hospital authorities acknowledge with grateful thanks from Mrs Godfrey Parazyn, of Hastings, a very handsome present of books and toys for the children. A representative of an insurance company reports (says a Dunedin correspondent) that heavy losses have Deen sustained by insurance companies during the last twelve months through destruction of property by fire. There have been many lires in small towns, and particularly so, it is alleged, in communities where business has been languishing. He advocates emphatically the necessity for a Coroner's enquiry into every fire. A fortnightly meeting of the Manawatu Court of Foresters was held last evening and presided ever by C.R. Bro. J. Lane. It was decided to write thanking the St John Ambulance Association for kindness extended to one of the Court's members. It was arranged to enter a team for the inter-lodge card tournament, and in vi te members wishing to play to enter their names with the secretary. The Conrt's card tournament begins on May 5 ; a number of trophies have been received for the highest scorers. One candidate was proposed for admission to the Court. The Empire Hall has been engaged on Wednesday evening for a combined Methodist social and rally to welcome to Palmerston the Revs. F. W. Boys, J. H. Haslam, and Mr Rowe, who have recently been appointed to the churches here. There will be music, addresses and refreshments, and an enjoyable evening is anticipated. Thirty sections of Maori lands in the Kawhia and Waitomo Counties comprising over 14,000 acres, are to be offered for lease at auction at Auckland on Wednesday, May 21. An advertisement of interest to land seekers appears on page 1 in connection with the sale.

The Labour Department has let contracts for the erection of thirteen workmen's homes at Oobden, Greymouth, the aggregate outlay being £5002 7s. The prices for individual houses vary from £317 10s to £426. The sections on which the cottages will be erected haye already been cleared ami drainage will shortly be undertaken. The contracts will be supervised by Mr H. J. Torbit, representative. of a the Labour Department, and the time allowed for the completion of the cottages is sixteen weeks.

A correspondent writing from Palmer ston North (says the Lyttelton Times) is satisfied by his own personal experience that the oomments made by the Manawatu Daily Times in regard to the distinction made in the medical examination of immigants, on their arrival in the Dominion, which were quotedg in «hi§ column last week, are justified by the facts. "We saloon passengera," he says, "arriving back from England via Sydney, walked past the doctor without any examination whatever, whereas each third-classer had to be called individually before us and answer to name, age, place of birth and occupation, etc., men and women alike. Questions were asked that had no reference to health.''

Mr J. T. Stewart, 0. E., passed away at Wanganui on Saturday at the age of 85. His connection with the Wellington province dates back close on sixty years. In the early days of settlement in New Zealand fhe came here iu he was employed in many survey and engineering works in the Mauawatu and Wanganui d stricts Among other things he planned and carried out the Manawatu Gorge road, which at the time was thought to be an impossible task In 1889 Mr Stewart retired from the position of district surveyor and settled at Aramoho, and for many years he did most important service for the Wanganui River Trust, both as a member and as honorary engineer, and it is generally admitted that the improvement of recent years effected in the navigation of the riverjis due to his design and advice. Among all classes his death is deeply regretted. He leaves a widow and a grown-up family of live sons and five daughters.

We show to-day 15 dozen Ladies' Underskirts, being the full range of an English manufacturer's samples of these goods, they comprise some exquisite styles and qualities in Moirette, Silk and Satin ; these were secured by us at a very slight advance on the English cost, and will be sold 25 per cent, less than usual prices, there are no two exactly alike. Buyers should see these early. C. M. Ross and Co., The Bon