ROTORUA-TAUPO RAILWAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 234, 2 October 1929, Page 9

ROTORUA-TAUPO RAILWAY

■EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMITTEE [ Per Press Association J WELLINGTON, Oct. 1. Further evidence was heard by the M and Z Committee of the House today with respect to Mr Vaile’s petition re the Taupo railway. Mr Galvin instanced the case of a gentleman who in 1897 acquired 53,900 acres of land in the district for £3912. In 1913 he sold 13,102 acres for £6551. In May 1925 ho sold 25,185 acres for £25,185 and in August of the same year sold 4800 for £7330, still retaining 10,000 acres, of which he had \ improved only 1700 acres, which he valued at £35,000. To summarise the whole transaction he bought 53,000 acres for £3900 or Is 6d an acre, sold 43,000 acres for £39,000 and with all that profit on the transaction had been able to improve only 1700 acrei That gentleman, said witness, is Mj Earle Vaile. Replying to Mr Lye, witness said that he regarded Mr Vaile as a good land salesman, but his ability as such was overshadowed by his sentiment. Mr Vaile: Would you look at me and say that? Witness: Yes, sir, I w’ould.” Mr Galvin said that he could see no justification for the railway, but there might be some reason justifying it which he could not see. Mr Kyle asked witness would he consider Mr Vaile a pioneer because he had broken in 1700 acres of this land. Witness: “I don’t want to hurt anyone s feelings, but I consider that it would be window dressing to sell the rest of the land. Mr Semple questioned the right of witness as a departmental officer to make such a statement. Mr Galvin said that he was asked to express an opinion, and as only 1700 acres could be developed and in view of the other propaganda, he had considered it was window dressing. Mr Samuel: Do you consider it wise , to condemn this country without * giv- * ing it a fair trial? Witness: I don’t wish to unduly disparage it. I think it is all a question 1 of experiment. He disagreed with previous witnesses who had deposed that the major part of the land in the district was capable of profitable production. Questioned by Mr Vaile with regard to climatic conditions, witness said that Mr Vaile himself had particularly emphasised before the Land Board his regret that frosts accounted for the poor appearance of his pastures. Referring to the attack on himself by witness, Mr Vaile said that he considered it an absolute injustice. “You think then that all I have done w simply for tho sake of trying to tak< in- some unsuspecting person, wht does not know the country.” Witness: I think that is an exaggeration of my statement.” Witness said that no attack was intended. The chairman said that ho had not noticed any personal attack. Mr Kylo protested against witnesr having made a search of the titles ii order to bo able to give the figurei he quoted with respect to sales of por tions of Mr Vaile’s land. The chairman ruled that it was com petent for a witness to tender such evidence. The committee adjourned.