THE WAIRARAPA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 4 June 1913, Page 5

THE WAIRARAPA.

PROPOSED RAILWAY.SCHEMES

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPINION.

At the council meeting of (lie Wellington Chamber of Commerce on Monday, the report of the delegates of the chamber who recently accompanied the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. W. Eraser, on lii s tour of the Wairarapa, was received. The chamber's delegates were the president, Mr A. 10. Ma bin, and Mr James Macintosh.

After covering deiail -natters, the report, concluded: — "Your delegates were very much impressed with tha country inspected by thorn in the Makuri, Pongaroa, Alfredton and Whareama districts. Pongaroa, which, my bo considered in tli? centre of the district which would I'o opened up by a»v of the proposed railway routes, particularly calls for at, ; ?ntion. Pongaroa- township is 40 miles from either Pahiatua or Eketahitnt, over hilly country. The land has been cleared of bush and has been developed up to a point, but want of good communication is hindering the district from producing anything like what it is capable of doing, .considering the fertility of the soil and the. fine climate. If this large are.i of country could.be made to send to this port wliai it is capable of producing, a r gr'eat impetus -.voirld lie given to the trade of this city. We consider the- chamber should lord its aid to any scheme? having this and the general development of the Wairirapa in view. There are several schemes proposed:— (1) Lateral line s from the present line to various points east; (2) loop ,line, Masterton to Waipukura-j : (3) new line. Lower ETutt via Wanmi-o-mata to Piriroa, thence to Waipukurm; (4) good roads and motor waggon services to the present line. Your delegates are tint prepared to express an opinion on the merits of the various schemes, but suggest that the proposed , visit of the Minister for Public Works and the Engineer-in-Chief should be nmle as early as pos•sible, and following thi s that a commission be appointed to examine and report upon the various schemes. Assuming that a railway i s authorised, as some time must necessarily elapse before it can be completed, the local bodies, with the assistance of the Government, should complete the metalling of the main roads within their respective districts, arid these should bo made fit far all classes of traffic, so that private enterprise for the time being could deal with tho traffic—particularly between • Pah iatua and Pongaroa, and Eketakvma and "Pongaroa. The constimction of»ronds generally should, your delegates think, not wait until the completion of a" railway, hut should be pressed forward immediately. , When a railway is completed they will act as feeders to the line, but in the meantime they will go fur to assist tho development of the district.

"As to the deviation over the Kimutaka this very necessary work should not bo delayed any longer. The working expenses of the incline are estimated to amount to £20,000 per annum,' and this would pay the interest on a capital of £400..000. The further development of the Wairarapa must compel the Government to improve this portion of the line sooner or later, but the chamber should join with the Wairarapa in aifgjng the early undertaking of the work."

Mr Mabin had noting to add to thp report, but said there was no doubt the country they -aw'was an "eye-opener," Ttfo bush had been cleared, and the country wa s good sheep and cattle land, but was retarded by the lack of railway facilities.

Mr Macintosh considered-that the Riimitaka deviation matter should be settled at once. One of the great hindrances to the Wairarapa wa s the Rimutaka, and it should not be a difficult task to 3ecido on some scheme to,make an improvement. If the people at the Wairarapa end and this end joined forces, they would be ablo to push the matter on to a settlement.

The report was adopted, and- the delegates thanked for their labour.