THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25, 1914. MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 25 February 1914, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25, 1914. MASTERTON-WAIPUKURAU RAILWAY.

There does not appear to be the slightest possibility of inducing the ■ Government to place the MastertonWaipukurau railway on the list of authorised lines. The reason is not that the Minister tails to recognise the importance of this connection, or that he has reason to think that tire undertaking would prove anything but profitable. The fact is that so much money is required to complete lines already authorised, that new work must stand over some years at least. Impressed with this fact, and still possessing the knowledge that railway communication is urgently required in many parts of the Dominion; the Government last session placed upon the Statute Book a measure *hat might be employed to open up the country and bring the backblocks districts into closer communication with the markets. We refer to the Railways Construction and Land Act Amendment Act, by which it, is provided that two or more local authorities may unit© and exercise all the powers of a company in the construction of a railwav. Power is given to raise money under the' Local Bodies Loans Act, 19D, and to levy, whatever'rates may bo necessary to

meet the interest on the loan. Here, then, is an opportunity for tho people of north Wairarapa, Akitio, and Hawko's Bay to combine with the object of constructing a railway to servo that vast territory extending from Masterton to Waipukurau. The first question that naturally will be , asked is, "Will it pay?" In reply, wo assert that' if it would pay the Government to construct the line under the extravagant co-operative system that is at present in operation, it would pay local authorities to do so under the contract system. The, ratepayers in the district would have the knowledge that, even if they were required in.the first few years to pay extra rates, they would ultimately be relieved of a very considerable financial responsibility in the matter of road maintenance, while the values of their property would be immensely increased. Immediate steps should be taken to test the feeling of the district in the matter, for delay might mean that other projects may be started which would prejudice the undertaking. We therefore suggest that the Masterton Chamber of Commerce convene a meeting of representative settlers of the Tiiuii, Alfredton, Pongaroa, Weber, and Waipukurau districts, to discuss the whole position and determine upon a course of action. If it is' thought advisable to proceed under the Act of last session, it would bo necessary to prepare a petition, and have it signed by the ratepayers interested, requesting the various local bodies to combine and strike a special railway rating area. Once this were done, a small rate might be struck over the area to pay the cost of a survey of the route and of obtaining a detailed estimate of the cost of the proposed line. Spread over a considerable area, the rate to cover these expenses would be infinitesimal. When the cost of the line ' was ascertained it would be necessary to take a poll of the ratepayers, after obtaining the consent of the 1 Minister, on the question of raising a loan. It might bo that £1,000,000 would be required to do the work and provide rolling-stock. The interest on this sum, at 5 per cent, would be £50,000 per year. Until the line was brought to a paying point, the interest would be paid out of the loan. Tims, the ratepayers would not -be taxed for any considerable amount. Indeed, the preliminary expenses of survey, etc., might be charged against the loan. As we have said, on the basis of a million loan, which would be a liberal estimate for the work, the turnover to pay interest would require to bo £50,000. On the top of this would, of course, be the working expenses. The Official Year- | Book informs us that tho average cost per mile of the railways already constructed in New Zealand is £ll,053. We are of opinion that, with up-to-date machinery, and under the contract system, the line between Masterton and Waipukurau could be constructed at £IO,OOO per mile. t Multiply this by eighty miles, and we have a cost of £BOO,OOO. The balance of a million loan would provide all the rolling-stock required, and would pay preliminary expenses as well. The Year-Book tells us tliat the net revenue of the whole of the railways of New' Zealand for the year 1912-13 was £4.04 per cent on the capital cost.. This includes a number of railways that are run at a loss. The earnings of some of the lines ranged as high as £ll lis 4d per cent.- The average revenue per mile of railway open during the year was £I4OO, and the expenditure £954. The expenditure on a private line would not be -nearly as great per mile - as on a public line, while there is no reason to think that the receipts' would be smaller. The, whole question should bo gone into thoroughly, and investigated on business lines. We look to the Chamber of Commerce to bring 'about this investigation.