ROTORUA-TAUPO AND NELSON-WEST COAST RAILWAYS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 August 1928, Page 3

ROTORUA-TAUPO AND NELSON-WEST COAST RAILWAYS

(To the Editor!

Sir.—As one who knows-the Rotoruai arid' Taupo districts' from "A, to* Z m:iyi £ pe permittee} 'space','to 'place -batorei youi' readers some "facts' in regard to the greatest political' jobbery that has ever been attempted in this 'country. I refer, Sir, to. tlie proposed railway from Rotorua to Taupo. Knowing the pumice country as I know it I have no hesitation in condemning this railway scheme, although 1 belong to'the .Auckland district, seeing the'controversy that is taking place and the splendid speech-' cs delivered on this scheme by Mr Hockly, M.P. (speeches borrowed mostly from the "Auckland Weekly News"). T know who is going to benefit mostly by this line—certain private interests, in regard to carriage of goods, timber, etc., and as a farming proposition this line will never pay for the axle "grease used on it. I have seen a letter ih the press lately in which tho writer had seen one rabbit in this country which the Government proposes to turn into farms. I myself have seen one grasshopper on the Taupo plains He wis making,for the creek to commit suicita, so poor'is the country. Mr Hockly, shortly to be raised to Ministerial rank, says the line will pay handsomely. May I remind Mr Hockly that this is election year and is not Rotorua seat in danger of being lost to the Reform Party. The member for the district knows'"it too well. If tho Government wish a.line to Taupo why not'take over the private railway at present run by the Taupo Timber Company? Their timber will shortly be worked*out and tho rail left bare. Here is a chance for a cheap lino by the Government. But perhaps that would | not give employment to an army of; [engineers, . inspectors, overseers and., 'political, touts. Fronv a Government; 'whose •.'motto lias always .bee" "'spoils 'to the Victors" this railway "is to-be' foisted on the people and the Government well.know it cannot compote with' the well-organised motor, services round this district. I; for one hope; commonssense will prevail-and tlie ,la\ipo.'plains. be left to tlie wild horse' and rabbit, and not build lines which 'will onlv benefit land sharks and speculators. Coming to the Nelson-West Coast, this ' is a trunk line and should bo pushed for'ward as rapidly as possible in my opin* ion. When this line is completed then Nelson will come into its own and be carrying twice the population it has at present. But are the people of the district, in unity on tho matter. Nowhere in the parts of tlie world I have travelled is the cry of "stinking fish" raised so much as* in Sunny Nelson. The people should wake up, show a united front to the Government and develop "the splendid resources they have. Don't be always finding fault with your M.P. Mr Harry Atmore is, 1 believe, doing what he 'can for Nelson, and. if not he only reflects the "intelligence of the electors who put him in that position. Try and back him up in his efforts and" "Wake.up Nelson!" Get your Progress Chamber of Com? j merce and other local bodies behind ! your M.P. What was good for your grandparents is no good to-day. Move with the times. Show "Unity is strength." Only 30 niiles of unformed railway between your loyely little city and tlie West Coast ,and nobody .pushing things to get this" gap completed. I would like to see a representative deputation sent to • Wellington to push the claims of this railway before the present Parliament. Then something might be done. Give the Minister of , Railways no rest until this work is tackled in a practical maimer. Get linked up with the other parts of the South Island by vail and then see the prosperous city of Nelson. W n ?* hfis been done in other parts can be done here. With a long pull all together.your city and district will then come into their own. May we all see ft "early.— I am, etc., , ■ , ■• M. f F. BOGLE. I Nelson, 6th August.