TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10404, 18 July 1912, Page 3

TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

Wa take from the New Zealand Times she following which amplifies the Press Association message':— Me H. K. Simpson, chairman of the Rangitikei Oannty Oonncil, waited upon the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. H. Herriea) yesterday, auri made representations in regard to the nroposed extension of the Saadm tramway from the Rangitikei river to Marton - Mr B. Newman, M P, for Rangitikei, who - in trod need Mr Simpson, explained that a conference had been held representing the Manawatn and Kangitikei County Councils. Marton ami Poston Borough Councils, and the Huntecville, Balls, and Rongotea Town Boards. The railway was discassfid at the meeting, Messrs J, G. Wilson, chairman of the Manawatn Oonnty Council, and S. K. Simpson, chairman of the Kangitikel Oo.nnty Council, being appointed a deputation to interview the Minister for Railways. Mr Wilson was unable to be present owing to Ulness. The tram, he pointed oat, now ran from the Rangltikei river So Himitangi, where it connected with the Foston-Palmerston railway. What was desired by the settlers and the lco?l bodies interested was an -lesteusion* at the northern end o! the line to connect with the Government railway at or near Marton The extensio'n won] d ba of great value to the district. It would enable settlers throughout the Manawatn and Rangitikei So obtain timber and stock from the main trunk line districts, and ailow the settlers"?!! return to send chaff and other produce. They wanted permission to Sfoo'nstrnct the line, and they would give the Government the option to purchase at a price based on arbitration ami witbout'goodwill. The lino would give access to the port of Postern. One of the former Ministers who was approached in 1910 expressed disapproval of the scheme, on the ground thai the railway revenue would suffer. Re wanted the freight to go ou to Wellington. v ln ! the event of an unfavorable reply, he /hoped the Minister would consent to visit the district, inspect the /country, and see Cor himself the possibilities of the line. In September, 1910, the Mto Z Ocmmtttee of the House reported on the tramway prpoosal, and referred the question to the Government for favourable consideration.

MR J. G. WILSON’S VIEWS. A letter from Mr J. Q. Wilson was read by Mr Newman it stated that a line was in the early days authorised from Bulls to Greatford, and a survey was made. The work was not proceeded with, but the ManawatnOounty built a tramway from Sanson to Hiraatangl a junction of the Foxton-Faimefsl-on line. The county bad an opportunity of selling the line, bnt the Government refused the sanction An extension to the Eangitikei river for the haulage of gravel was permitted, and the line was now within seventy chains of the township/of;Bulla. The'Government had refuser! to extend the line to Maiton, wh;le the settlers were al'io refused permission to build* the extension [themselves. In ?oonolusion, the letter states The settlers whom we represent all favour this connection, especially since the Main Trunk line was completed to Auckland. They have only a connection of five miles to make, and yet are refused permission to do so. For, of course, it would be useless to take the line to a point near the Main Trunk line and then have to cart the goods to the Government tracks I believe the ratepayers of the district would gladly become security for the money to extend this line to the Main Trank railway. Seeing that this is the case, surely the permission should be granted to them to make the connection. ”

A GRAIN-GROWING DISTRICT. Me Simpson said his district was willing to he rated for the cost. Sand on was essentially a graingrowing district, and there was practically no chance of sending sappiles to the central line nnless the prodnce"went a considerable distance ronnd about,, and the railage, was almost prohibitive. In regard to timber, the Sandon people had to pay for naolage for a distance of sixty-two or sixty-three miles, whereas only about thirteen miles would have to be, covered if the proposed connection were made. Mr Berries: Do yon know the number of farmers the line would serve?

Mr Simpson: Hundreds I know of.' Ttae district is closely settled. Mr Newman said the extension of the line wonld open op fmarkets for the setilers that they conld not operate now owing to the cost of haulage. Mr Herries; ’ There’ls no intention to compete with the traffic? Mr Newman replied in the negative. They wonld be quite willing to snbmit to regulations if necessary to prevent competition, and to give the Government the option of parchase without goodwill. IN REPLY.

In reply, the Minister said he thought It would be best to adopt Mr iSewman’s suggestion and visit the district himself. It was, of course, impossible for him to give a direct reply to the representations. He'knew very little about the buestion beyond what had. come before the House when he was a private member. He would get further reports from the department. It seemed that the officers were of opinion that the line might interfere with the revenue of the main lice. If be visited the districts affected be would be able to base his conclusion on what ha saw, taken in conjnncticu with the departmental, reports. He would like to make the visit In the early spring.