RAETIHI RAILWAY.
TO BE STARTED AT ONCE
HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER QUESTION.
WELLINGTON, Feb. 15
On Saturday the Hon. R. McKenzie (Minister of Public Works) will turn the first sod of the Raetihi branch railway from Ghakune, in the Waimarino district.
The opening of the North Island Main Trunk railway led to great development of the saw-milling industry in Ohakuae and Raetihi districts, to which the North Island has in the main to look for its timber supplies of the near future. A private sawmill line is at work between Raetihi and Ghakune, but the milling and agricultural needs -varrant the construction of a branch of the main railway system, nine miles in length. A vote of £15,000 was taken last session to make a start with the work. Recently the Government Electrical Engineer (Mr Evan Parry) visited the district to report on the possibility of running the branch by hydro-electric power, this being a good opportunity of experimentally using electricity for railway working. The Minister of Public Works was asked yesterday what had been decided.in tne matter, and replied that nothing definite could -et be said, but he inclined to the idea that hydro-electric power would not be adopted. Formation work could be put in hand without interfering with any future decision as to motive power. ■ ■ -
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Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 15 February 1912, Page 5
Word Count
215RAETIHI RAILWAY. Northern Advocate, 15 February 1912, Page 5
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