ELECTRIFYING THE RAILWAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 65

ELECTRIFYING THE RAILWAYS.

UTILISING THE COLONY" S WATER

POWER

HON. W. HALL-JONES'S IDEAS,

(Frou Our. Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 13. In replying to a deputation cf Pongaroa settlers who made a request for a line of railway from Masterton to Waipukurau, the Minister of Railways made some important statements regarding the development of tho latent water power of the country and its application in future to our working railways. The country, ho said, would not go in for au increased borrowing policy, and in tho meantime all possible energy* woultl be concentrated on the main trunk linos. In less than three years' time this work would bo completed, and the Government would be in a position to deal more liberally with the other works in hand. As Minister of Railways, he desired to do the riglit thing in the interests of the colony as a whole. The application of water power to the working of our railways would alter the whole system. Instead of grades like 1 in 65 and 1 in 70 having to be preserved, lines could follow the undulations of tho country, and extensive cuttings and tunnelling could bo atoided. In the course of time he believed the whole of the New Zealand railways would be electrified, and trains would be running over lines at intervals of an hour. They really would not be trains, but chains of a few cars run to suit tho requirements of population and the demands of produce traffic. Because this could be done, it would bo possible to construct lighter linos, with lighter bridges, at greatly reduced ccst, and trains could be run practically continuously at a cost not in excess of existing expenditure. This was the policy he was ever keeping before him. Tho deputation would naturally inquire, '* When do you think it will bo porsiblo to have water power applied to the railways?" In reply, he could only say that any scheme for the application of water power would be very costly, and most careful inquiry would have to be made and details minutely thought out br-fore any definite proposals were made. The difficulties of surveys had entailed delays which had prevented him from, bringing down certain information in this connection which he had hoped to be in the position ©f placing before Parliament at an early date this session. Water power, he affirmed, was going to be a great and important factor in the development of New Zealand. lie believed that in 12 months' time he would have formulated .sonio definite proposals for railing the country on the line he had suggested.