BRANCH RAILWAY LINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15235, 24 February 1913, Page 8

BRANCH RAILWAY LINES.

WAIMARfMd SECTION WANTED FROM RAETTHI TO OHAKUNE. [BY TEISGBAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WANGANTrc, Sunday. A matter of considerable importance was brought before the Hon. W. H. Herries at llaetihi, namely, the need for immediately constructing the short line of railway necessary to give Jlaeiihi direct communication with the Main Trunk system at Ohakima. It was shown that Raetihi was the centre of the Waiiaarino district, yet up till last season nothing had been exported in the shape of farm products. A start, however, has been made with fat stock, but owing to the fact that it is necessary to drive the cattle and sheep a long distance to the railway, the bloom' is taken off en route. It was furthermore! pointed out that the main road linking up those two places was a. Government road, but the exceptionally heavy timber traffic over it rendered it exceedingly bad in winter, and last winter traffic had to be partially suspended. Settlers in Raetihi were looking forward "with anxiety to the coming winter, particularly as the road was worn out

Moreover, if the railway project was pushed ahead and the line established, thousands upon thousands of feet of lower grade, but useful timber, could bo sent over the line, which, at present, it did not pay to cart the long distance, and m consequence it went up in smoke. The lino would bo level, and a good grade all the way. 'Timber freights alone would pay the cost of construction. Mr. Hemes, in reply, said that this was a matter for his colleague, the Minister for Public Works (Hon. W. Eraser). At the same time he could say that the lines authorised would Have preference over those not yet authorised. The present Government recognised that this was a line that should bo constructed, but it was a matter of finance. The Government was also fully alive to the fact that the construction 01 back-block roads was of more importance than the construction of many of the railways proposed, and it was the intention of the Masgey Government to give the back-block settlers a chance to have access to main roads and the railway system, and in this way assist the settlement of tho back* country. Fie promised to ask Mr. Fraser to visit the district and see for himself the country and the need there was for complying with the request of the deputation. Personally He was quite sure that if the finances allowed the work to proceed, the RaetihiOhakune railway would receive consideration from the Cabinet.