SANDON-FOXTON TRAMWAY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1056, 8 February 1913, Page 5

SANDON-FOXTON TRAMWAY.

PROPOSED EXTENSION TO MAIN TRUNK LINE. INSPECTION OF PROPOSED ROUTE BY HON. HERRIES. FAVOURABLE REPLY, BUT DOES NOT COMMIT HIMSELF. As the result of the agitation for the proposed extension of SandonFoxton tramline to connect with the Government line somewhere between Greatford and Marton Junction, but preferably at the latter 'place, a large number of'representatives from adjacent local bodies and Chambers of Commerce met the Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, at Foxton\and along the route as far as Marton yesterday morning to show him the country which the line would open up. The following weie represented:—Foxton Borough Council, and Chamber of Commerce, Rongotea Town Board and Chamber of Commerce, Manawatu County Town Board, Marton Borough Council and I Chamber of Commerce, and Rangitikei County Council.

Mr Edward Newman, M.P., was in attendance on the Minister, and also present Messrs T. A. Ronayne, General Manager of Railways, H. Buxton, Chief Traffic Manager, and H. Koch, District Traffic-Manager for Wanganui. The party left Foxton at 8.30 a. m. and travelled by tram to Whale Line at 9.30, frona- where they were motored through the Glen Oroua district at the invitation of Rongotea Chamber of Commerce and Town Board. The Minister was also shown over Glen Oroua Dairy Factory and then entertained at morning tea by the RongbtealChamber "of Commerce in the Town Hall. The party afterwards'joined the train at Rongotea Siding and continued the journey to Pukenui, where the Ministerial Party were picked up by motor car and motored over the proposed route to Marton. Here lunch at the Club Hotel was provided by Marton Chamber of Oommercc.

Mr R. E. Beckett, as Mayor of Marton, extended a hearty weclome to Mr Henies. He was sure the district over which they had motored that morning was the finest the Minister had seen in New Zealand. The Sandon and Carnarvon districts were also very good, and he hoped that the£deputation would be able to persuade the Minister to recommend the connection.

Mr Herxies, in reply, thanked the Mayor for the very kindly welcome extended to him. With regard to the country he had passed through that day he had no hesitation in saying that •with the exception of the Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay Flats he had never seen better countiy in the Dominion. Even in the Waikato there was not the extent of fine country that he had seen that day, and he must say that it was an eyeopener and a revelation to him. Concerning the chief object of his visit, namely, the railway extension, the matter would have to be considered on his return to|Wellington.< At the same time he would point out that he had a great responsibility placed on .his shoulders, viz., to guard the interests of the Dominion in the matter of railways. There was now thirty millions invested in railways, and he had to consider all such matters as the one in question from & Dominion, and not a local, standpoint. He hoped this would not be the last occasion he would visit the district as a Minister, and he thought this hope would be realised as public confidence in the present Government was steadily increasing, and tiiis, he thought, would be evidenced more than ever at the next election. (Loud applause). The Minister and representatives then adjourned to Rangitikei County Council Chambers. Mr Beckett occupied the chaii and formally introduced the Minister, and explained the objects of the deputation. Mr Newman, M.P., expressed the gratitude of the residents of the several towns and counties to the Minister for visiting the district. He had gone over the whole line and they appreciated the way he understood the subject. He knew the question of asking Government to connect the tram with the Government line was of wide interest to the community. The area that the line would serve extended from Mangaweka and even further north right down to Marton and through Saudon and Carnarvon to Foxton and all were interested. Farmers of the fiat lands which extended to near Hunterville wanted markets for their chaff, etc., and the farmers of the hilly country further north wanted markets for their sheep The proposed extension had been the subject of an inquiry by a committee of the House in 1910, and it asked Cabinet for favourable consideration. Unless the through connection was granted thelinewould.be useless.

Mr J. G. Wilson, chairman of Manawatu County Council, said in 1879 the then Minister of Public Works was requested to inspect the district, and it Was agreed that the line be extended to Bulls, hut this was not carried out. People on the south side of the river were anxious that the road between Foxton and Sandon should he metalled, but they had no means to enable them to. He, however, had a clause put in the Act to allow them to, put the. tram through to Sandon as the metalling would have proved too costly. Several big estates were cut up, farming business increased, and the metal question became even, more serious. Metal was then 28s a yard, and not procurable at Eongotea, so they got permission to extend the line to near the Rangitikei river to obtain cheaper metal. The County Council made hardly T any metal carrying, and the upkeep had almost quadrupled since then. When the river was reached the residents agitated for extension to Bulls, but the County pointed out that this would not pay them. The Minister would see for himself that the gathering was, perhaps, small, but very representative. He pointed out the many advantages that would accrue to the district, and it was Marton Chamber of Commerce that suggested that the Minister should be "shown over the route. JThe farmers of the district and neighbourhood did a large trade in chaff, and if they had the lino the south would not be able to compete and they would have the northern market to themselves. They would have no difficulty financially and asked the Minister for a favourable reply. If Government could not see its way to extend the line he hoped it would

give them permission to join the line somewhere. The line could go over the bridge at Bulls and, although sceptical himself, the engineer said it could carry the train. Mr:Beckett, Mayor of Marton, said he had very little to add to Mr Wilson's remarks except that Marton was a centre of very great advantage as all trains stopped there, and it would benefit by the connection. He hoped that'Sandon and Carnarvon districts would likewise benefit.

Mr F. Purnell, Marton Chamber of Commerce, said that two deputations had waited on Ministers of past Cabinets, and the first Minister referred the matter to his Cabinet for consideration and the other Minister had referred it for favourable consideration. The Hon. Hall-Jones had m his estimates made provision for a trial survey of the route, but the appropriation of the required money had not been granted, and it. was stated that a sum would be putjon the Estimates, but this fell through. In 1895 a private syndicate was formed to carry out the work. He understood that it was a policy of Government that private lines be refused. About 16 years ago he assisted in the management of the tramway and considered the present line a monument to Manawatu County Council as the whole of the line was built out of revenue. He understood that the Railway Department did not want the line constructed. There was no line that would be more suitable for the interchange of traffic, etc., between Lower and Upper Kangitikei. The Chamber was unanimous in supporting the proposal that Government be requested to give a favourable reply on the merits of the case.

Mr Meldrum, chairman of Hunter▼ille Town Board, said although Hunterville was detached from Saudoa district they thought it right to express their sympathy. Sandon rye grass, which had attained considerable fame, was extensively used all along the Main Trunk Line. The land in their neighbourhood was most suitable for store sheep, and Sandon and Carnarvon grew fats, and they wanted a market for their sheep. Mr H. H. Hunt, Rongotea Chamber of Commerce, pointed out how goods from tho north had to first go to Palmerston North, then to Foxton, and then up to Rongotea. Where they at present had to travel 60 miles the proposed line would lessen this distance a great deal, and at the same time decrease the cost.

The Foxton representative pointed out that it was only the small gap between Sandon and the Main Trunk Railway Line that haudi capped the lower district through the expensive rates. To show how the timber market of fcjie King Country was handicapped he said that during the last four weeks 700,000 feet of timber were landed at Foxton, and there was another ship waiting to discharge. i Mr R. K. Simpson, Chairman Rangitikei County Council, thought previous speakers had covered all the ground, but he wished to state that from a small station, Bonny Glen, this season 7000 tons of chaff were sent away. His Council strongly approved of the connection. Mr Mansell, Bulls Town Board, and Mr Donald Fraser, also strongly supported the proposal. Mr Mansell said the connection would benefit the country all through. Mr Newman said the question was a big one and Government might say that the goods would be carried on a private line, but Manawatu County Council, he understood, would build the line and then give Government the right of purchase at a price to be fixed by arbitration. Their aim was to give access to the country. He thought no Government had the right to make a settler pay unnecessarily to make a department pay. It was better for goods to go to Foxton than Wangan'ii. Government was considering the question of light railways, and he Minister would take a broad view and sanction the construction. Mr Herries thanked the deputation for putting matters so lucidly before him. He was not going to refuse or promise them anything, but he wanted more information regarding traffic He asked would the increased traffic compensate the Department for the loss that would result? He hoped that, the, information would be supplied to "him shortly and lie would favourably consider the matter and the reports of his responsible officers who told him that the line would prove a loss to the Department as the traffic would be taken away. It was an important matter of policy which lie would have to refer to his colleagues. He. was veiy pleased with the splendid country he had seen that morning ; it was well settled, and the line he knew would be of great advantage to the settlers, but he had to consider the matter as a Dominion one, not a local one. The Department had no hostility to the scheme. He would carefully consider any further information. He thanked all for the trouble they had gone to, and hoped that he would be able to again shortly visit the district. Mr Newman, on behalf of the deputation, thanked Mr Herries for the interest he had taken in the matter, and the inconvenience he had been caused. . He would agitate till they got the line. Mr Herries again returned thanks, and said it was not always palatable to a Minister to have to refuse the request of a deputation. They tried to please everyone, but that was an impossible tiling to do. (Loud applause 1 ). - Mr Herries j&eeompa nied by MiNewman and others then hurriedly left by motor for the south express train;for Wellington. At the station three hearty. cneers were given the ; Minister as he depaited. Great credit is due to Mr A. K. Drew, clerk of Manawatu County Council, for the very able manner ihe arranged matters. The party i occupied about eight motor oars, and ■ the tiip was a very enjoyable one to !all.