RAILWAY LINE WANTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20219, 2 April 1929, Page 8

RAILWAY LINE WANTED.

CLAIMS OF OPOTIKI.

DEPUTATION TO WELLINGTON

[by telegraph.—own cor respondent ] OPOTIKI, Monday.

The executive of the Opotiki Railway League met at the week-end, the Mayor, Mr. G. S. Moody, presiding. It was unanimously decided that a deputation consisting of Mr. J. H. Reid, chairman of the Opotiki County Council, and Mr. G. S. Moody should go to Wellington immediately the Prime Minister returned to press the claims of Opotiki for railway connection. The secretary was instructed to write to the Auckland Railway League in an endeavour to enlist its sympathy and support. It was decided to order 500 badges with the words "Opotiki Railway League" inscribed on them. The extension of the railway from Taneatua to Opotiki, it was claimed by members, would ensure a great development for the Opotiki district. Every shilling saved in the cheaper freights which the lino would make possible would be spent on the land for increasing production. In the case of manures the railway would mean a very great difference in cost to farmers. The sea freight was 26s 6d, but districts served by rail did not pay more than lis, with carting costs cheaper in proportion. If rail facilities were available there would be from 12 to 15 tons used to every 10 tons now used.

There were three main roads with a wide expanse of country converging on Opotiki and the adjacent districts were capable of a great increase in the number of sheep and cattle carried, which would mean an extensive increase in the traffic for the railway from Opotiki. At present sheep were driven overland to Taneatua.

It was recalled that Opotiki had been asked to prove to the Railway Department that the goods would be available when the railway reached the town, but the settlers had gone further than that by offering to the railway, even with a gap of 30 miles, more stock than it could cope with on many occasions. Members took strong exception to a statement that rough country beset the way of the construction engineer. It was stated that there were only between three and four miles of fairly heavy going through the Waimana Gorge, all the rest being very easy country.