The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890.) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1932. The Railway

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 November 1932, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890.) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1932. The Railway

TO-DAY is a "red letter" day for Stratford, for after thirty years its hopes have been realised, and thejast spike has been driven in the line which is to provide direct railway access between here and Auckland. Stratford has hoped and waited ever since the first sod was turned in March, 1901, and although the line will be of inestimable value to the whole of the faranaki Province, it can be claimed that most of the representations made to bring home to the powers that be the importance of completing the line had their origin here. That is not to suggest that the rest of the province did not play its part. It »d, and the efforts of Stratford organisations were well supported. Therefore it is right that Stratford should play a big part in the celebrations which are taking place to-day. The Mayor (Mr. Percy Thomson) was right in his idea that the Stratford Borough and County Councils should act as hosts to the visiting Ministers and Parliamentarians, and although he has met with some criticism, those who view the position without bias must agree that his contentions were sound. Mr. Thomson deserves much credit for the part he has played, as also do ihose who cooperated with him in organising the various functions which mark so important an event. There have been many setbacks since that memorable day away in 1901 when Sir William Hall Jones turned the first sod, and on many occasions because of financial stringency and other causes progress has been held up, and at times it looked as though the line might never be finished, more especially as many of the politicians were not conversant with the country through which the line would pass and in some cases were not very favourable to the work being carried on. However, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates realised the importance of the line, and marked it as one that had to be completed, his view being shared by the United Government when it attained power in 1928. When the Railway Board took control, fears were expressed that the railway might share the fate of several other uncompleted lines, but the Board looked upon it as a "borderline case" and decided to complete it. Now, at last, all doubts are at rest, and the great day has come. It remains for the people served by the railway to do all in their power to make it a payable proposition and to give it every support.

The Mountain Road

THE opening of the Mountain Road to the Plateau, which will be performed by Hon, R. Masters late this afternoon is to Stratford another most important event, for it provides in this district one of the greatest, and at the same time unique, tourist attractions in the Dominion. A little band of enthusiasts have long had visions of the road to the Plateau, and as a result of their enthusiasm and self-sacrificing labours a dream has been made to come true. The Government, despite opposition from various quarters, realised the possibilities of the attraction provided bv this side of Egmont, and did its share in its development. It is a day of triumph for the East Committee and supporters, and it is fitting that it should be fittingly celebrated at the same time as the completion of the railway, which we are sure will carry, in the near future, large numbers of tourists who will be anxious to view the beauties of Egmont, which are now so easy of access from Stratford.