NEW RAILWAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17526, 1 May 1925, Page 6

NEW RAILWAY.

VALUABLE DISTRICT TAPPED. The Ohai railway was opened by the Hon J. G. Coates yesterday. The Ohai railway district may be described as that country drained by the Ohai and Sharpridge streams and Aranea River from its source to a point near Feldwick. The district comprises approximately 130.000 acres, being portions of the Wairio, Waiau and Mararoa survey districts. Of the total area, about 40.000 acres are eminently suitable for dairying and general agricultural purposes, while the balance is first-class grazing country for both sheep and cattle. The mineral wealth of the Ohai railway district comprises what has been described as the largest undeveloped coal field in New Zealand. Speaking at the opening of the Ohai line, Mr Coates said that it reflected great credit upon the confidence that the locality had in its own district in making itself responsible for the necessary rates in order to raise money with which to construct the line. The success of this undertaking showed that there was necessity for the legislation of which they were able to take advantage. In 1918 Vhe output of coal was 17,000 tons, while during last year it had grown to 160.000 tons. The ratepayers have not been asked to pay a rate, although it has been struck. Whether the Government could manage a work of this kind better than the local people concerned was a matter of opinion, Mr Coates continued, but the plain fact of the matter was that they had done it without Government assistance. and, in addition, had made it possible for the industry to be able to compete with other mines in the South Island. Speaking of the general railway situation, Mr Coates said that the railways had had a wonderful year, and intended to go c one better next year and eclipse this year’s figures, simply by placing themselves at the disposal of the public and introducing facilities indispensable to the economic life. One of the feattires of the coming year’s reorganisation would be the separation of goods from passenger traffic.