LIGHT RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17753, 12 April 1921, Page 6

LIGHT RAILWAYS.

MAMAKU TO TAURANGA.

FAVOURABLE REPORT ON ROUTE. [BY TELEGBAPH. —OWN CORBESPON-DEKT.] MAMAKU, Monday. f A special meeting of the Mamaku Settlers' Association was held in the Assembly Hall to receive the preliminary report of the survey made by Mr. Small field, engineer on the Mamaku-Tauranga railway routes. The engineer's report stated that, with the exception of two short hills near Omanawa, which can be avoided by a deviation, an excellent grade may be obtained over the whole length of line between the site of the Tauranga railway station and Mamaku, a distance of 37 miles. The engineer recommends a standard gauge and formation, and a medium weight of rail. He reports that there is an abundance of timber and metal for sleepers. and ballast along the route. Only two small bridges would be required. The formation would bo extremely cheap, and the whole distance will pass close to the new hydro-electric power station on the Wairoa River. He recommends the Railway Board to ultimately utilise this power instead of steam. Mr. Smallfield has no hesitation in recommending a trial survey for a light railway. A special rating area has now been defined, and a petition for the proclamation of the area under the Light Railways Act, 1914, is now in circulation.