PROPOSED LIGHT-LINE RAILWAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8189, 21 July 1906, Page 5

PROPOSED LIGHT-LINE RAILWAY.

MASTERTON TO PONGAROA. The question of a light-line railway from Masterton to Fongaroa was dis* oassed at the meeting of the Masterton Chamber of Oommene, yesterday. Mr Donald Donald, who brought the matter up, said that the main trunk lines would shortly bo completed, and then there would be an agitation for branch lines. The business people of Masterton should keep in view the opening of a lightline to Fongaroa from Masterton, for they might find themselves oat in the cold, as he was sure other towns would agitate to have the line taken their way. If the matter was properly Dlaced before them the settlers in the district in question m<gbt give tbe necessary land for suph a line, and they might even go further and fence off such a line. Mr 0. E, Daniell thought the matter was of the greatest importance to Masterton, and it should be pushed on with vigour. Many of the se;tiers in the Pongaroa diatriofc were old residents of Masterton. They were' heavy pruduoers, and at this time of tneyear they had a difficulty in getting their produce to a railway station. Some years ago a Government survey of the line as proposed by Mr Donald had been ma(Je, and at a public meeting held in Pongaroa about time, the peoDle had said that Wellington was their port and Masterton their outlet for a railway. Mr Donald mentioned that the Go verumenfc were now replaoiug the present railway rails by heavier ones and the lighter rails could be used for some years to come on a line •such as the proposed one to Pongaroa. Several members spoke favourably on the proposed line, and urged that the matter be strongly advocated. Finally Mr Donald moved, and Mr Daniell seconded, "that this Chamber resolves itself into a Committee to obtain information and to continuously agitate for the formation of the proposed Masterton-Ponga-roa railway." Tho motion was unanimously carried.