NEEDS OF EAST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 12

NEEDS OF EAST COAST.

RAILWAYS AND ROADS.

OPOTCKI'S URGENT CLAIMS.

COAST ROAD OVER THE MOTU.

[BI TELEGRAPH.—OWN OOUBE3PONDENT.] tt TAUKANGA. Saturday.

The question of the extension of the East Coast Main Trunk railway from Taneatua to Opotiki claimed attention at a meeting of the Bay of Plenty Development League at Whakatane. The Minister for Public Works, in a letter, stated that, in view of the contract already let for the construction of an 18 miles section, the Government was unable to authorise at the present time tiny expenditure for additional work in the Bay of Plenty. On completion of the current contract, however, and provided no obstacles arose, the Government would make every endeavour to continue the construction of the lino toward Opotiki. Large Quantities of Freight. The Opotiki branch of the Farmers' Union forwarded a motion that the Government be urged to reconsider its decision in regard to the construction of the Opotiki-Taneatua line, also that the Government consider the letting of a contract for the construction of the railway from Opotiki westwards. Mr. G. Moody, of Opotiki, moved the adoption of the motion. He stated that the Opotiki people did not see why it was necessary to wait for the completion of the Tau-ranga-Waihi section of the East Coast Main Trunk railway before commencing the construction of the Taneatua-Opotiki section. They were of opinion that the work should go on simultaneously with the other contract. Mr. Moody emphasised that there were large quantities of freight available between Opotiki and Taneatua, there being five dairy factories with an output of 1400 tons of dairy produce, all of which was forwarded to Auckland. On a conservative basis there would be about 1000 tons of supplies received during the year. As the factories were all along the line of the railway there should be a great saving of cartage to the factories when the railway was in use. Should a large dairy factory be erected near the Kutarere Wharf, which, owing to the cost of transport, was mooted and might probably take place during the next few years, it might affect the railway. If the construction of the railway was proceeded with other plans might be adopted regarding an up-to-date dairy factory. The motion was adopted. Another motion from the Opotixi branch of the Farmers' Union was carried to the effect that it be a recommendation to the Main Highways Board that, in view of the importance of the East Coast territory of the North Island, the proposed East Coast Road be considered a main highway, and that the construction of a means of traffic across the M°tui River be considered a matter of extreme urgency, and that the work be pushed on with. Publicity Campaign. Among other motions adopted were the following: — That the Publicity Department be reminded that it had not yet sent aphotofrapher as promised to film the Bay of 'lenty, and in view of the publicity campaign the department be asked to arrange this visit as early this summer' as possible. That the various contributing bodies to the league be asked to consider and give an expression of opinion on the question of getting direct steamer connection with Southern ports. . That the league supports the efforts of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce and the Rangitaiki Ratepayers' Association for the alleviation of difficulties on the Rangitaiki Plains in the matter of drainage rates. • *• ; ■> That the league sirpport the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce.in its efforts to obtain immediate construction, of the Whakatane branch railway line. A Bay of Plenty court at the Dunedin Exhibition was favoured, and it was re-, solved to ask the local bodies to set up a committee to go into the matter. The league decided to again move for the creation of a chief post office for the Bay of Plenty, including the Rotorua district. The widening of the Wairoa-Waimana Road was urged as being of great benefit to tourists and stock traffic between Hawke's Bay and the Bay of Plenty. It was decided to urge that the Tau-ranga-Waihi Road be declared a main road, also the gap of 40 miles on the Opotiki-Cape Runaway Road. A. main, road from Rotorua .to Tauranga was also advocated. ,