KAWHIA HARBOUR.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8189, 2 August 1912, Page 9

KAWHIA HARBOUR.

WANTED—A RAILWAY. FLYING SXTBVEY PROMISED. A deputation from the Kawhia harbour district consisting of Messrs W, J. Shaw of the Kawhia County Council), G. Q. Jonathan (chairman Ks.whia Tnvn Board), J. Ormsby lOturohanga), C. P. Morris (chairman Kawhia Chamber of Commoroe), C* Haylock, and A. lairfax (Kawhia South), and V. Jackson (ifanguroii) waited on the Minister for Piblic Works (Hon. W. Fraser) yeeterdav with a request that a trial survey slj.mid be made for a hue of railway conh -.ting Kawhia haibour with the mam trunk line. The deputation wae introdu.vd by Mr C. K. Wilton. M.P* for Tiumarunui, Mr J. A. \uuug, M.P. lor Waikato, also being preeut. It was jx)inted out by the deputation that the line would servo a district 00 b oO miles in extent, and would pay from the very commencement, Kuwlwa w,is a splendid harbour, unti at least 50 per cent, in freight charges wquld be saved if a hne wa« constructed enabling g ods to be landed at Kawhia and brought across to Te Kuiti and other p.acoe by tho branch line instead of coming direct from Auckland by rail aa at present. The line would the Ohura, Waitomo, Awakino and Kawhia counties, also the southern part of tbs Wa:kuto. The distance across to the plain lino was 18 miles in a direct line, but the railway w'ould probably bo between SO and 40 miles long. They wantad to centralise their Industries at Kawhia, a* freezing works, etc., being contemplated, but until they received some idea where the terrain ue would be at Kawhia they were not ablo to proceed, as it might mean considerable inconvenience later. In reply the Minister pointed out that 'ft flying survey was very different to a detailed survey. Even with such a survey, the Government must not be held responsible if the route would afterward* have to be altered. It was a question of money- as far aa the construction of the line was concerned. He would ueft •very endeavour to have a flying survey made, which would give them something to go upon. He hoped to be able to have the . work started before next session. H© * indicated that this was a definite promise, and they need not go away with the idea that th© matter wguld only <r bft kept steadily In view/'