MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10018, 14 April 1910, Page 6

MASTERTON-WAIPUKU-RAU RAILWAY LEAGUE.

The annual general meeting of the above league was held at Pongaroa on Saturday last, Mr John M'lntyre, chairman of executive, presiding.. In giving a resume ,of the work of the last deputation which interviewed the Minister for Public Works, the chairman said they had been courteously, received bv the Minister, who maintained that it was inadvisable to commence surveys of railway routes before the whole questian was duly considered and authorisation given, and he had made no rash promises, which was always safe ground. Still, the deputation had no cause for despair -quite the opposite. It was simply a case of ways and means. If a light line were adopted, it would cost less, and be constructed sooner than the ordinary line. Mr James M'Donald, another of the delegates, also spoke, endorsing the views of the chairman. In his 1 opinion, now that the East Coast railway had been authorised, which was in a far less thickly populated and improved district, there was every hope that the Masterton-Waipu-kurau line would receive the early and favourable consideration of the Government, and steps be taken for its authorisation. The secretary congratulated the delegates on the work they had done. After discussing the position, it was moved by the chairman, seconded by, Mr Herbert, and carried: "That the secretary be instructed to write to the Minister for Fublic Works, pointing out that, seeing the East Coast railway has been authorised, and that the guarantee of 3 per cent, is quite easily available here, it is advisable that the MaatertonWaipukurau line be also authorised, as it would run through a far more thickly populated and improved district than that of the East Coast." Mr JtsJhn M'lntyre was re-elected chairman and treasurer of the executive for the ensuing year. Mr Patrick B. Ligertwood was re-elected secretary, and the following members of executive representing - Waipukurau, Weber, Horoeka, Waihi, Pongaroa and Eakaunui, ateo chosen:- Messrs J. M'lntyre, P. Nielsen, A.'Herbert, J. M'Crae, Jas. M'Donald, G.Gillain, A. M'Donald, R. Robertson and J. Bowie.