THE OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16611, 8 December 1919, Page 2

THE OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

At his Tataraitnaka meeting on Saturday night Mr. G. H. Buckeridge read the following correspondence rn reference to the Opunake railway *. ~ (1) From the provincial secretary of the Taranaki Executive of the Farmers’ Union to the Minister of Public Works forwarding copy of resolution passed on July IS: “That the Government be urged to take the earliest steps possible to -have the New Plymouth-Opu-nake railway put under construction, as this work is one of great importance to that part of tho Dominion, and will, it is felt, prove a very profitable railway to the department.” (2) From Mr. C. A. Wilkinson to Sir. Buckeridge, dated July 22, 1919, stating (inter alia) ; “I am also urging upon the Minister the necessity ot having the remaining . portion of tho line (Opunake) from Opunake to New Plymouth authorised during the coming session.” (3) From Minister -of Public Works to Mr. Buckeridge, dated July 22, 1919, stating: “I am in receipt of your letter of the 18th inst., forwarding a resolution passed at a ’ meeting of your executive in regard to the New Plymouth-Opu-nake railway, aqd have to state that instructions have bfeen given to proceed with the work at once.”

[ln the last lettdr the Minister apparently meant the southern portion of tho lino, for the northern portion was not then authorised, and where in July only 11 men were employed, in August there were 81 and in September 50.]