NIGHTCAPS LINE

Southland Times, Issue 19099, 17 November 1923, Page 5

NIGHTCAPS LINE

APPEAL TO SOUTHLAND LEAGUE PURCHASE BY 7 GOVERNMENT ADVOCATED A GOOD PAYING PROPOSITION. The proposal of the Nightcaps Town Board for the Government to purchase the present Wairio-Nightcaps Railway from the Nightcaps Coal Company, was considered at the quarterly meeting of the Southland League at Otautau yesterday, when it was decided to refer the matter to the executive for consideration. Mr D. Sinclair, Nightcaps, handled the remit. He outlined the history of the line, saying that the public of Southland had benefited by the fact that it obtained cheap coal. The province had benefited by the construction of the railway, and the Government had staffed the line and collected the revenue. Many people had spent their all in Nightcaps and the locality, and they would lose heavily if the railway were closed. The Town Board wanted the assistance of the League in getting the ear of the Minister on his visit to Southland, and they hoped the League would help them. There were about three miles of line with up-to-date appointments at Nightcaps and the price asked was £6OOO. The present revenue, without any coal being carried, was over £6OO a month. “So we are not asking you to support the purchase of a white elephant,” he concluded, “but a paying proposition.” The next speaker was Mr J. L. Clapp, 1 who said there was an iclea abroad that Nightcaps was a dying mining township. This was a false rumour. Seven years ago the rateable value cf property under the Town Board was £30,000, and to-day it was valued at £BO,OOO. That would dispel the idea that Nightcaps was a dying township. He then read the petition in circulation which would be presented to the Minister. Mr McChesney then moved that the matter be referred to the executive for consideration and report. Mr Ritchie said it was stated that the present line was a dead end, and if the Government did buy the line it would be only to move it to another route. What was the present position with regard to the line? Mr Sinclair: The agreement between the Nightcaps Company and the Government expired in March next, and if no agreement were reached to extend the lease the company would have no alternative but to close the line. I have never known a realway to reach a dead end. Mr Strang: What revenue have you and what brings that revenue. Mr Sinclair. The revenue of £6OO last month was derived from general merchandise. Mr Clapp: In the latest returns Nightcaps was a more important station than Otau tau, Wyndham or Tuatapere. The staff at present was as large as when the company was putting coal on the line. On behalf of the farmers, Mr J. G. Johnston said the farmers of the locality held holdings from 200 to 1000 acres, which would • produce heavy crops. In addition to the agricultural land there was also a vast pastoral area which was served by the line. It would be a great hardship to settlers if the privilege of having the railway line were taken away. “I think the League,” he concluded, “will support our request and push the interests of farmers in any locality.” The chairman said the League would obtain the truth about the matter and act accordingly.