TUATAPERE TO THE MONOWAI.

Southland Times, Issue 18809, 30 April 1920, Page 2

TUATAPERE TO THE MONOWAI.

To the Editor. Sir, —As apparently an insufficient quantity of lime is produced to supply Southland farmers at the present time, the Southland executive of the Farmers' Union is seriously considering the question, of baying a lime-bearing property to supply the requirements of all members of the Onion at cost price. Undoubtedly this is a step in the right direction. I referred to Clifden lime in a previous letter, and the recent investigations made by the Fanners’ Union have borne out my assertion, regarding the quality of tho said lime. Aa true is essential to the farming industry the increased production that does accrue from liberal quantities sown with grass, grain, etc., amply reward farmers for the outlay incurred. Hie Union is to be commended on its prudence and forethought in contemplating the establishment of an industry of its own, so that members of the Union can procure lime at reasonable cost. With the leek of railway facilities at Clifden it would be futile for the Union to establish a lime plant there under present circumstances. Assuming that the extension of the Orawia railway was pushed on to Clifden, lime could be railed by that route, but at the present rate of progress (six labourers with one barrow ) the completion may be or may not be an accomplished fact at tho termination of the nine hundred and ninety-nine years’ lease. The present drawback to the Qifden lime industry is the cartage by tractionengine to Tuatapere, the estimated cost of fuel being six to eight shillings per ton, with wages and other incidental expenses leaving the company unable to carry on under present conditions. Therefore, on the face of these facts the more efficient and businesslike way is for the Farm ere’ Union to work in conjunction with the Electric Power Board and immediately push on the electric light railway starting at Tuatapere and terminating at Monowai. If the aforesaid railway was constructed, the crushing plant could be driven by electric power, lime could be railed all over Southland and the 'Electric Power Board’s material delivered at Monowai, thus keeping the employees going toll speed ahead, instead of waiting for waggons delayed by quagmire roads or the steamboat, that is hard and fast on a gravel bar or some outstanding rock, to reach its destination. The attempt to navigate the Waiau river would certainly tend to lead to that last-mentioned assumption. —I am, etc., PROGRESS. April 28.