LIGHT RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17338, 9 December 1919, Page 9

LIGHT RAILWAYS.

THE WAIKATO SCHEME. PROPOSED ROUTE VISITED. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETINGS. [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN %OBBESPO!TDEHT.] HAMILTON, Monday. The light railway proposal initiated by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce to connect Hamilton with Raglan and Kawhia was advanced a further stage during the week-end, when an inspection was made of the route by members of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Captains H. Dansey, D. Bruce, and R. Worley, light railway experts. The party left Hamilton on Saturday afternoon, and received an enthusiastic reception at each of the townships visited. At Raglan, where the first stop was made, a meeting was held. Mr. Houchen. presided, and there was a large attendance. Mr. G. Parr, president of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, briefly explained that the proposal was to construct a light railway which would provide communication between the West Coast and the Waikato. The railway, by carrying metal, would considerably reduce the cost of roads, and, in his opinion, should precede the roads. A line would also connect Raglan and Kawhia with the Main Trunk line. Captain IX Bruce said that what light railways did in France and Belgium convinced him that they would be an excellent thing for New Zealand. The principal centres of the Waikato did not possess a good metal pit, and as the country would not be opened up without, metal roads light railways were the best solution of ■ the problem of transporting metal. Light 1 railways were cheap and quickly con- . structed. A line would increase the value of land. Captain Dansey said that, in his opinion, to build a line from Hamilton to Raglan and Kawhia would be like building a line to a gold mine, so great were the benefits in view. The potentialities of the district were enormous, and as the line* could be ■ laid along the roads the expense, would be infinitesimal compared with the benefits. It was estimated that in Belgium -these light lines had saved the country 70,00(JjDOO working hours valued at £8,000,000;' So far as he had seen there were no engineering difficulties in the. way of constructing the line. He" was prepared to stake his reputation that light railways would be successful and profitable. .<...: Captain Worley said he was 'convinced that light railways would be ideal for New Zealand, and was sure the solution of the back-blocks difficulties lay in light railj ways. The nature of the country made ! no difference, as it was proved in France ' and Belgium that no matter what class of I country was traversed these lines- could be laid. In the Raglan district there were . thousands of acres of excellent land, while . the port was one of the finest on the west I coast. Yet the district was practically cut off from civilisation. Light lines did not i compete with the ordinary gauge lines, as ; they were only feeders. I A strong committee was appointed to ' arrange for the setting up of sub-commit - j tees in -oilier districts. I Yesterday the party motored through, to J Kawhia, a stop-being made at 'Karamu, where the line from Hamilton will; branch off to Raglan and Kawhia. ■-, ' It is only about a week since the first , car reached Kawhia, and the arrival of the party caused a flatter of excitement in the quiet seaside township. This morning the party was taken for a launch trip round Kawhia harbour. Later a meeting was held, over which Mr. A. A. Mason presided. The railway engineers rave information similar to that given at Ilaglan. The meeting.was most ! enthusiastic, and the promoters were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. A strong committee was appointed. j The party left for Pjrongia, where a ' further enthusiastic meeting was held. . The next step is to raise funds' for a ' survey of the proposed route, after which it is probable a railway board will be set up. It is hoped that the lav.' will soon be amended so as to allow Jines of narrow gauge to be constructed.